Valentino Rossi MotoGP return confirmed after negative Covid test
Two negative coronavirus tests mean Valentino Rossi is eligible to ride in this weekend's MotoGP European Grand Prix
Rossi was back in the Yamaha garage during Friday practice at Valencia
Steve Wobser/Getty Images
Valentino Rossi will return to MotoGP action at the European GP this weekend after posting a second negative Covid-19 test.
Rossi had undergone a test and provided a negative result on Thursday in Italy. He travelled to Valencia but, as per MotoGP protocol, had to return a second negative result to be eligible to ride in this weekend’s European GP.
The Italian remained away from the paddock until confirmation earlier today of his second negative test, clearing the last hurdle to his return to racing. He was in the Yamaha garage by the end of practice two.
Confirmation of his second negative test result means the seven-time champion will be back on the bike tomorrow for FP3. It will be the first race for Rossi since he crashed out of the French GP in October at Le Mans.
Yamaha had lined up WorldSBK rider Garrett Gerloff as his potential replacement for the weekend. The American rider ended his brief MotoGP cameo debut 16th in second practice, 1.5sec off of Jack Miller’s session-topping time.
There he is!!!! 🤩@ValeYellow46's second PCR test came back negative. He is back in our pit box and will be riding tomorrow! 💛🙌🙌🙌#MonsterYamaha | #MotoGP | #EuropeanGP pic.twitter.com/rwtIVf4oiQ
— Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (@YamahaMotoGP) November 6, 2020
Rossi had tested positive for Coronavirus after the Le Mans race upon his return home to Italy. He missed both Aragon rounds on the sidelines, leaving him down in 15th position in the riders’ standings.