Italian motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi announced on Thursday that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and that as a result he would miss the MotoGP Grand Prix of Aragon this weekend and possibly the following race.
The 41-year-old seven-time MotoGP world champion announced on Twitter that he had carried out a first inconclusive test on Thursday morning and a second in the afternoon which came back positive.
“I am disappointed to have to miss the Grand Prix d'Aragon.
I am optimistic and confident but I expect to also have to miss the second ”(the GP of Teruel, on the same circuit on October 25, Editor's note), he indicated.
The Spanish circuit is hosting the Aragon Grand Prix this weekend and then a week after that of Teruel as part of a MotoGP championship calendar itself upset by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Italian champion, a true legend of motorcycling sport, specifies that he already felt unwell Tuesday after the previous race, the French Grand Prix at Le Mans last Sunday, but that a first test carried out that day had proved negative .
"I'm upset because I did my best to respect the protocols," said Rossi, adding that he had isolated himself since returning from Le Mans to his home in Tavullia (Italy).
“But things are like this and there is nothing I can do to change the situation.
I will now follow the medical advice and hope that I will get better soon, ”he adds.
MotoGP field veteran wants to continue racing next year
“During his stay at his home between the evening of Sunday 11 October until today Thursday 15 October, he has not been in contact with other people who would now be present at the Grand Prix d'Aragon, including the pilots and members of his VR46 driving academy or members of the Yamaha team, ”said his team in a press release, without specifying whether he would be replaced by another pilot this weekend.
Rossi, the veteran of the MotoGP field, recently announced his intention to continue racing next year at the highest level.
He is currently 13th in the world championship with the best result this season being a 3rd place in the Andalusia Grand Prix at the end of July.
His last MotoGP victory dates back to the summer of 2017 and he remains on three consecutive crashes in the last races.
Valentino Rossi is the first rider to test positive in the MotoGP class, but the Spaniard Jorge Martin, entered in Moto2, was also forced to miss two events after testing positive.
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