Rossi cleared to race in MotoGP Valencia GP after COVID scare
Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi has been cleared to race in this weekend's Valencia Grand Prix after returning a second negative COVID-19 test
Rossi was forced to miss the Aragon double-header last month after catching the virus between the French and Aragon Grands Prix.
Having initially tested positive again last Tuesday, Rossi cleared the other tests he had to take and was able to take part in the European Grand Prix last weekend.
However, on Tuesday having returned home to Italy Rossi tested "positive with a very low viral load" and was recommended by doctors to take another two tests.
The first one take on Wednesday returned a negative result on Thursday, with his next one taken this morning also returning negative.
Rossi has now been cleared to take part in this weekend's Valencia GP alongside his crew after they cleared all the relevant tests.
Earlier on Thursday, a source from Yamaha confirmed the Japanese manufacturer would not be lining up a replacement for Rossi this weekend should he have been unable to race.
Last week Yamaha put American World Superbike rider Garrett Gerloff on standby to replace Rossi if he was to miss the European GP.
As Rossi wasn't cleared to ride in time for Friday's practices, Yamaha put Gerloff on the bike for both sessions.
The American impressed the team, including Rossi, after ending the day just 1.5 seconds off the pace on the combined timesheets.
Yamaha will still be missing members this weekend, after five team personnel - including team manager Massimo Meregalli - were forced into quarantine last week when one of Maverick Vinales' crew tested positive for COVID-19.
This followed on from last month when six members of Yamaha were forced to quarantine ahead of the French GP when one tested positive for COVID-19.
Rossi's first race back since the French GP last weekend ended after just five laps owing to a technical issue.
It continued a rotten streak for the Italian, who hasn't seen a chequered flag since the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano at the start of September.
Tech3 rider Iker Lecuona has also been cleared to ride this weekend from Saturday after being forced to miss the last race when his brother tested positive for the virus.
Share Or Save This Story
Marquez “comfortable” on Ducati MotoGP bike “but not ready for podium”
Brivio: Trackhouse offers 'great opportunity' for MotoGP and NASCAR worlds to collide
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
Rossi faces key decision: Who will replace di Giannantonio at VR46?
Why Rossi is putting pressure on Ducati over its 2027 MotoGP rider line-up
Why Rossi's serious approach to car racing in 2024 may create a dilemma
Nicky Hayden: Remembering motorsport's much-loved "one-off" five years on
Morbidelli/Rossi relationship won’t change as MotoGP team-mates
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 F1 Hungarian GP
Alonso delivers first verdict on Aston Martin F1 car upgrades
F1 Hungarian GP: Hamilton leads Ferrari 1-2 in FP2, Colapinto crashes for Alpine
LIVE: F1 Hungarian GP updates - Hamilton heads FP2 after Colapinto crash, Stroll sidelined for Aston Martin
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments