The Ducati factory team has announced that they will field only one rider in this weekend's Catalunya Grand Prix in MotoGP, as injured Marc Márquez will not be replaced by another pilot. Márquez sustained a fractured sesamoid bone in his right foot after a crash during the sprint in Le Mans last Saturday. This injury led to his absence from the French Grand Prix the following day, and he returned to his home for treatment, undergoing a double operation in Madrid on Sunday morning.

On Saturday, Ducati confirmed that Márquez would not participate in this weekend's race in Barcelona. The MotoGP rules do not require Ducati to use a replacement rider this weekend, and the team's leaders have decided to contest Catalunya solely with Francesco Bagnaia.

However, at Mugello at the end of the month, Ducati will have to use a reserve rider if Márquez cannot participate in the Italian Grand Prix. The Borrego Panigale marque will likely choose between Michele Pirro and Nicolò Bulega as the replacement for the world champion if necessary.

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