Autosportfoto

Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi cleared to make Aragon MotoGP return

Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi has been cleared to compete in the Aragon MotoGP race weekend, following a medical check-up at the circuit on Thursday.

Rossi is recovering from breaking his right leg in a motocross training crash in late August, and skipped the previous Misano race two weekends ago.

The Italian was also expected to sit out the Aragon round but, after testing a road bike on Monday and Tuesday at Misano before undergoing a subsequent medical examination on Wednesday, Rossi has opted to try and ride at the Spanish venue.

His on-track MotoGP return could only be confirmed pending a medical fitness test, which he has now passed.

A statement from Yamaha read: "This afternoon [Thursday] Valentino Rossi successfully completed a mandatory medical examination carried out by MotorLand Aragón's Chief Medical Officer, Clemente Millan.

"He declared that the nine-time world champion is fit to ride, 21 days after sustaining a leg injury. The Italian will take part in the FP1 session tomorrow."

Rossi being declared fit does not, however, guarantee that the 38-year-old will take part in the entirety of the race weekend.

The Italian, who is 42 points behind joint championship leaders Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso, said heading into the weekend: "If I will be declared fit to ride, I'll have the real answer after FP1, because riding the M1 [MotoGP bike] will be a much bigger challenge."

Should Rossi decide against completing the weekend, his bike will be handed over to World Superbike rider Michael van der Mark.

Zdroj: autosport.com