MotoGP riders react to Marc Marquez's delayed return

Earlier this week the news of whether Marc Marquez would return or not for the Qatar Grand Prix was finally revealed, as the eight-time world champion confirmed he would miss not one, but both rounds in Doha. 

There was a lot of expectation that Marquez could make his return following two separate tests on a Honda road bike at the Circuit de Catalunya and Portimao. 

But following doctors instructions, the 28 year-old announced that he would instead be continuing his recovery as he attempts to return soon. 

This was a main talking point during today's MotoGP press conference ahead of Sunday's season opener at the Losail International Circuit.

A few riders gave their views on the Spanish rider's situation, including 2020 champion Joan Mir who spoke with Marquez recently.

Mir said: "Yeah we speak a bit, but we don’t speak so much because we were training at that moment (during Marquez' visit to Qatar). He was working on his recovery and it's difficult, I saw him well but in the end I was not looking at him and what [weights?] was he using! 

"But something that is strange is that once you test your shoulder in one track with one bike, if you are not right and you don’t feel great, you don’t go again to recheck in a different track.

"This is something that… that's why I expected Marc in Qatar, because you get ready and you try to make a lot of kilometres to start here no? But it was not like this."

His new team-mate at Repsol Honda Pol Espargaro, also shared his views and expectedly approached the situation differently to Mir. 

Espargaro added: "Well, not much to say. He is following the doctors instructions as he said many times.

"For sure me as a rider and the Honda team we are waiting for him so much to come back into the team because he is going to be a big help to all of us.

"For me to grow as a rider, having the best rider in the world to my side is really important and for Honda as a manufacturer to improve the bike.

"It is going to be big news when he comes back and I think he is going to be on the top level very quickly, and be on the podium very soon."

The next time we see Marquez racing it could mark over 500 days since he last competed in a MotoGP race. 

One of the final riders to share his thoughts was Jack Miller who alluded to why testing a road bike is a much different kettle of fish. 

The Australian said: "Nobody knows better than Marc the struggles he’s gone through last year.

"There is a big difference riding with a street bike compared to coming here and pushing on the razors edge every lap with 22 other guys around you.

"For me it is a no-brainer, he will be back and be back strong, and when that is will completely be up to him and we wait for his return.

"For sure there are some valuable points going away, but I’m sure he’s not thinking about that and just thinking of getting back on the motorcycle."