Valentino Rossi returns positive COVID test
The nine-time world champion will miss this weekend's MotoGP race after testing positive for COVID-19Valentino Rossi, arguably the most famous man in motorcycling, has tested positive for COVID-19 and will sit out this weekend’s MotoGP race in Aragon, Spain.
The nine-time world champion travelled back to his home in Italy following last weekend’s Grand Prix of France at Le Mans, and took a routine PCR test that returned a negative result.
He woke on Thursday with mild symptoms and underwent a further two tests for COVID-19. The ‘quick’ PCR test once again returned a negative result, but a further in-depth test revealed a positive result. It is unclear exactly how Rossi contracted the virus, but it most likely occurred during his stay at home in Italy.
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Italy currently has over 370,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and recently recorded a daily total of 8,804 new infections, the nation’s highest daily tally since the start of the outbreak.
Rossi announced his positive result via Twitter and expressed his ‘disappointment’ in missing the race in Aragon. He hopes to return in the following race. “I am sad and angry, because I did my best to respect the protocol,” said Rossi on Twitter. “I will now follow the medical advice, and I just hope I will be feeling well soon.”
Yamaha confirmed the news in a statement and said that Rossi had not been in contact with anyone who is currently present at the Grand Prix of Aragon in Spain. This includes VR46 Academy riders, VR46 staff and Monster Energy Yamaha team members.
— Valentino Rossi (@ValeYellow46) October 15, 2020
Rossi will be monitored by medical staff at his home in Tavullia and the situation will be reviewed each day. Yamaha has not given an estimate date for Rossi’s return.
The COVID-19 result follows a tough period for Rossi, in which the Yamaha factory rider has crashed out three races in a row. The 41-year-old has continually impressed in the twilight years of his career, but he hasn’t been so lucky in recent weeks. He is currently 13th in the championship standings.
Petronas Yamaha SRT has signed Rossi for the 2021 season, in what might be his final year in MotoGP. Current Petronas rider, Fabio Quartararo, will take the Italian’s factory seat in 2021.
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