Rossi says shoulder progressing well

The Italian rider, who struggled with his shoulder since injuring it in a training accident in April, has been recovering since he underwent surgery following the end of the season.

On Tuesday, ten stitches were removed from his right shoulder and Rossi will now begin "passive" rehabilitation work before he starts the active phase in two weeks' time.

"I'm doing the rehabilitation at the shoulder, the situation is improving," said Rossi on his website. "Two weeks have passed since the operation and this morning Dr. Porcellini took away the stitches.

"From today I will be back to work in the gym - at least for the rest of the body - and to make the rehabilitation of the shoulder, even if 'passive'; above all not to lose mobility.

"In about two weeks I will begin to work actively in the pool and gym to be ready for the three days of testing in February. We must make haste, but we hope to be fit for the first test with Ducati in 2011 in Sepang."