Marc sat out the Argentina MotoGP as he recovered from a hand operation, an injury sustained when h🐭e crashed into Miguel Oliveira a week earlier in Portimao.

It means that Repsol Honda rider Marc has completed just two grand prix laps in 2023 so far, a major early setback in his quest to reclaim 🔯the championship.

• Al𓆉ex Marquez: ‘Ciao’ to Bezzecchi, podium ‘long way’ froꦬm 2020

He watched from the sidelines as his brother, who swapped Honda for Gresini Ducati, earned a podium🅠 finish in Argentina, posting a picture of their video call to social media.

See you both soon

— Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP)

What must Marc be th🀅inking to see his brother reinvigorated by the Ducati bike?

Alex was many experts’ rider to watch in 2023, under the thought process thཧat his potential had been stunted by the limitations of last season’s LCR Honda bike.

Tꦚhat faith is already being repaid, but Alex is strengtheni🍰ng the already-dominant Ducati rather than helping to bring Honda back to the fore.

Marc is hoping to return to action at the Grand Prix o🌃𝓰f the Americas, beginning April 16.

Honda coyly posted pictures of Marc and teammate Joan Mir’s bikes to social media with the caption “see you b🅘oth soon”.

Mir also missed o💖ut on racing in Argentina due to concussion, a nightmare occasion for Repsol Honda.

On Tuesday Repsol Honda posted a teaser “a week to rest, recover and refocus” suggesting that both of theiওr riders will return to COTA.

It’s been a terrible sღtart for Marc Marquez, exacerbated by his brother’s joy perhaps. But there’s a long way to go…