Champion Marquez ends season early through injury

Marc Marquez clinched the MotoGP title with five races to spare

MotoGP champion Marc Marquez has ended his season three races early after suffering a collarbone injury at the Indonesian Grand Prix earlier this month.

A week after winning his seventh premier class title at the Japanese Grand Prix, Marquez suffered the injury in a collision with Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi on the opening lap in Indonesia.

The 32-year-old Spaniard was expected to return for the last two rounds in Portugal and Valencia.

But the Ducati rider has opted not to rush back from the injury and will spend four weeks with his arm immobilised before beginning rehabilitation.

"Analysing the entire situation, we believe that the most appropriate, clever and consistent course of action is to respect the biological timing of the injury, even if that means I will no longer be able to race this season," Marquez said.

"We know that a difficult winter awaits us, with a lot of work, to recover my muscles to 100% and be ready for 2026."

Ducati's test rider Michele Pirro replaced Marquez at the Australian Grand Prix but the Italian manufacturer has not yet confirmed whether he will also race in the final rounds.

Marquez, who will also miss the post-season test in Cheste, tops the standings with 545 points, above his brother Alex (379) and Marco Bezzecchi (282).