Marquez’s season-opening crash in Jerez and resulting bone fracture means that he has been ruled out of a second race, to concentrate on recovery.

Rewind to the Moto2 class in 2011, and Marc Marquez suffered a heavy fall with just two rounds remaining. Many would argue it cost him the title, when Kalex rider Stefan Bradl’s fate as Moto2 World Champion was sealed after consistently strong performances.

The following year, Bradl joined the LCR Honda Team in the premier class, and his efforts paid off when he secured a top-eight championship finish and won Rookie of the Year. After five years of racing in the premier class, backed by Honda, Yamaha and Aprilia teams, the number 6 rider took on a new challenge of World Superbike.

In recent years though, motorsport fans have seen Bradl enjoy his career as a MotoGP test rider, and most recently riding for Honda Racing Corporation, replacing an injured Jorge Lorenzo for three races. As well as this, the German rider secured a wildcard entry in Jerez.

Born into racing and the son of Grand Prix racer Helmut Bradl, who made a name for himself during the eighties, Stefan Bradl has only praise for eight-time World Champion, Marc Marquez whose seat he will be filling in the upcoming race.

“First of all I want to wish Marc a speedy recovery, what he did in Jerez was incredible and he showed that he has the true spirit of a champion. I am looking forward to riding the Honda RC213V again.

Due to the global pandemic, we have not been able to test as we would normally, so it will take some time to adjust. But I have ridden the superbike a few times so I know my fitness is good. It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. Competing with the Repsol Honda Team is always a great honour and I am pleased to help Honda.”

We look forward to seeing Bradl return to our screens at Brno, and wish Marquez a speedy recovery.