Valentino Rossi breaks leg during enduro training

The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team rider underwent successful surgery during the night

Valentino Rossi breaks leg during enduro training

Nine-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi’s hopes of another Championship title have likely been scuppered after the 38-year-old broke his leg in an enduro accident yesterday, 31st August.  

The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team rider was training on an enduro bike near his home in Italy when he crashed. After being taken to the 'Ospedale Civile di Urbino' for a check-up, he was diagnosed with displaced fractures of the tibia and fibula of his right leg. 

He was later transported to the 'Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti' in Ancona, where between 2am and 3am this morning he underwent surgery at the hands of Dr. Raffaele Pascarella, Director of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Division.

A statement released by his team following the surgery read: “The fractures were fixated using a metal pin - a locked intramedullary nail - without any complications.

“Further medical updates will follow in due course.”

Rossi added: “The surgery went well. This morning, when I woke up, I felt already good. I would like to thank the staff of the Ospedali Riuniti in Ancona, and in particular Doctor Pascarella who operated on me. I'm very sorry for the incident. Now I want to be back on my bike as soon as possible. I will do my best to make it happen!”

Despite his perseverance, Rossi is likely to miss his home GP at Misano on September 10 and potentially the following round at Aragon, on September 24. Currently in fourth in the World Standings – 26 points behind leader Andrea Dovizioso – and with only six more races to go, the crash means that he unlikely to make the podium for 2017.