FILE PHOTO: Apr 14, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Marc Marquez (93) of Spain and Gresini Racing MotoGP before the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
(Reuters) - Eight-times world champion Marc Marquez suffered a fractured left index finger and a bruise to his ribcage due to a crash in second practice ahead of the German Grand Prix on Friday.
"(...) After only a few laps completed and a basically only quick lap attempt under his belt, (Marc) had a high-speed crash at turn 11," his Gresini Racing team said.
Despite the injuries the Spaniard was declared fit to ride on Saturday, Gresini added, although he will need to go through the opening segment of qualifying.
"The feeling with the bike was good, but it's obvious that the afternoon crash has had a great impact on this first day here at the Sachsenring," Marquez said.
"I'm not worried about the fracture in my finger, but the bruise to the rib cage is surely the one bothering me the most and that also prevented me from continuing the session.
"Now it is time to rest and tomorrow morning we'll see what my physical condition is."
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)
