MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has broken his right leg in a training accident.

The Spaniard will definitely miss the next test at Sepang at the end of February, but is expected to be fit for the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix on March 23.

Marquez was riding a dirt-track bike in Lleida in Spain when the crash occurred on Wednesday.

A statement from his Honda team said Marquez sustained a “spiral fracture of the distal third of his right fibula”.

He was treated by MotoGP surgeon Dr Xavier Mir at Barcelona’s Universitario Quiron Dexeus hospital.

“The results showed no ligament damage or dislocation and no need to proceed with surgery,” said Dr Mir.

“I expect he will need three to four weeks to fully recover.”

Marquez has already begun rehabilitation with magnetic therapy.

“It was a really unfortunate accident that could happen to anyone at any time,” said Marquez.

“I was rushed to hospital and Dr. Mir treated me, thankfully there was no ligament damage and it seems like a clean break.”

The 21-year-old had been quickest on all three days of the opening pre-season test in Malaysia earlier this month.

The remaining tests are scheduled for Sepang on February 26-28 and Losail on March 7-9, with Honda also scheduled to run in a private test at Phillip Island in between.