Valentino Rossi to miss Aragon Grand Prix after testing positive for coronavirus
Monster Energy Yamaha have confirmed Valentino Rossi has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss the Aragon Grand Prix.
Seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss this weekend's Aragon Grand Prix.
Rossi is the first rider to be forced out of an event through covid-19 and the Italian also expects to miss the Teruel GP, the second of back-to-back races at MotorLand.
The Monster Energy Yamaha rider is self-isolating at home in Tavullia, where he returned after crashing out of the French MotoGP in Le Mans last weekend.
Rossi called for a doctor after waking up on Thursday morning with a slight fever and underwent two covid-19 tests, the second of which came back positive.
The 41-year-old's team revealed he had not been in contact with any colleagues while he has been in Tavullia.
Rossi: "My bones were sore and I had a slight fever"
"Unfortunately this morning I woke up and I was not feeling good," Rossi posted in a statement on social media.
"My bones were sore and I had a slight fever, so I immediately called the doctor, who tested me twice.
"The 'quick PCR test' result was negative, just like the test I underwent on Tuesday.
"But the second one, of which the result was sent to me at 4pm this afternoon, was unfortunately positive. I am so disappointed that I will have to miss the race at Aragon.
"I'd like to be optimistic and confident, but I expect the second round in Aragon to be a no go for me as well.
"I am sad and angry because I did my best to respect the protocol, and although the test I had on Tuesday was negative, I self-isolated since my arrival from Le Mans.
"Anyway, this is the way it is and I can't do anything to change the situation. I will now follow the medical advice and I just hope I will be feeling well soon."
Rossi has failed to finish the last three races and is 13th in the riders' standings after nine rounds.
His positive test comes a week after six members of the Yamaha team had to stand down for the French Grand Prix due to an engineer contracting the virus.
Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis said: "First and foremost, we hope Valentino will not suffer too much in the coming days and will recover fully in the shortest time possible.
"It comes as a second blow for our MotoGP operations having faced the absence of Project Leader Sumi-san and five YMC engineers at the Le Mans race after one member tested positive - despite being fortunately totally asymptomatic.
"These two incidents remind us that no matter how careful you are, the risk is always present - as we see with the rising numbers of infections in Europe at this time.
"We have checked with the Italian health authorities and we have been advised that any member of our team that was in contact with Valentino up until Monday is excluded from direct risk.
"Nevertheless, we will be even more attentive from now on to minimise the chance for any future issues."