A ‘sad and angry’ Valentino Rossi has been ruled out of the 2020 Aragon MotoGP after confirming he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Becoming the first MotoGP rider to fall foul of the illness, it is likely he will also be forced to miss next weekend’s Teruel MotoGP next weekend being held at the same Motorland Aragon venue.
Rossi revealed the diagnosis in a statement on his social media accounts before Yamaha followed suit It comes after a member of the team also contracted the virus ahead of the French MotoGP, forcing others to miss the race as protocol through self-isolation.
The seven-time premier class world champion took the test after waking up ‘feeling a bit sore’ but while the first test was negative, a second one returned a positive result at 16.00.
While he is the first MotoGP rider to be forced out, it comes after Moto2 rider Jorge Martin missed the two Misano races for the same reason.
— Valentino Rossi (@ValeYellow46) October 15, 2020
"Unfortunately, this morning I woke up and I was not feeling good. My bones were sore and I had a slight feever, 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 16:00 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.”
By stating he had self-isolated since Le Mans and returned a negative test on Tuesday it will be hoped Rossi has limited his contact with other personnel at Yamaha in the meantime. Though Rossi is not in the title fight, two of this stablemates - Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vinales - are.
It is another blow for Rossi in what has been a dismal run of luck recently with crashes out of the two more recent races and now set to be see him slump down the overall order.
One outcome of this though is Jorge Lorenzo could be called up to replace him for next weekend’s Teruel MotoGP.
STATEMENT – 15th October 2020
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Yamaha Motor Racing Srl regret to announce that Valentino Rossi will be unable to attend this weekend‘s Gran Premio de Aragón.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- On Sunday 11th October, Rossi left the Le Mans circuit and travelled back to his home in Tavullia, Italy.
- On Tuesday 13th October, Rossi underwent the usual PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test, which is compulsory for those who visit their homes in between races. The result was available the next day and it was negative.
- On Wednesday 14th October, Rossi was feeling fully fit and he trained at home without any symptoms or inconveniences.
- On Thursday 15th October, he woke up in the morning and felt a bit sore. He had a slight fever and immediately called a doctor. The doctor conducted two tests:
- 1. A ’quick PCR test‘, that again came back with a negative test result.
- 2. A standard PCR test, of which the result arrived on Thursday 15th October, at 16:00 local time. Unfortunately this result was positive.
- During Rossi‘s stay at his home from Sunday night (11th October) to today (15th October), he has NOT been in contact with any person that is currently present at the Gran Premio de Aragón, including VR46 Academy riders, VR46 staff, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team members etc.
- Rossi's condition will be closely monitored by the medical staff in Tavullia.
- The situation will be reviewed every day with a view to Rossi's participation at the upcoming MotoGP race events.
