Seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi edged closer to a return to his Yamaha team for the European Grand Prix when he tested negative for coronavirus.
The 41-year-old missed the back-to-back races at Aragon last month after testing positive for Covid-19.
REPLACEMENT RIDER ON STANDBY – JUST IN CASE
However, his team said his latest test came back negative.
“As per the Italian law, the Yamaha rider is now allowed to end his self-isolation and take part in everyday society again,” said a Yamaha statement.
“Rossi will take this opportunity to fly to Valencia this evening. Tomorrow he will do a second test and if the result is negative again, he will be able to reunite with the Yamaha MotoGP team and take part in this weekend’s Gran Premio de Europa.”
However, should Rossi test positive on Friday when standby replacement rider Garrett Gerloff will take his place.
World MotoGP standings ahead of Sunday’s European Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, the 12th round of 14 races:
1. Joan Mir (ESP) 137 pts, 2. Fabio Quartararo (FRA) 123, 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP) 118, 4. Franco Morbidelli (ITA) 112, 5. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) 109, 6. Alex Rins (ESP) 105, 7. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN) 92, 8. Pol Espargaro (ESP) 90, 9. Jack Miller (AUS) 82, 10. Miguel Oliveira (POR) 79.
