Image: Supplied.

Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez will undergo a fourth surgery on his right humerus, effectively forcing him to the sidelines for several grand prix as he recovers once more.

The Repsol Honda rider has suffered major limitations during recent rounds which have limited his results, and therefore elected to undergo surgery 18 months after his last operation.

“Unfortunately, I have to take a break from the 2022 season that will keep me away from competition for a while,” Marquez explained. “After all these months of intense work with my new medical team in Madrid, my physical condition has improved and I have reduced the discomfort in my right arm to be able to compete at the grands prix, but I still have significant limitations in my humerus that does not allow me to ride the bike properly and achieve the goals I have always set for myself.

The surgery will take place on 31 May under the direction of Dr Joanquin Sanchez Sotelo in Minnesota, USA, with Marquez to still complete the Italian GP at Mugello where he qualified P12.

It’s been an extremely challenging period for Marquez following the heavy fall at Jerez in 2020 where he originally hurt his arm and was forced to miss the season altogether as he recovered and faced complications throughout the process.

2021 was again plagued with complications and injury despite Marquez being able to return to the top step, with diplopia forcing him out of the final two rounds.

A heavy fall in warm-up in Indonesia triggered the vision condition once again, with the latest announcement made on the eve of the MotoGP race at Mugello marking yet another hurdle for the Honda rider to overcome.