MotoGP News
Valentino Rossi “ain’t no chicken” as he rode a motorcycle for the first time since breaking his right leg at Mugello on June 5th. The Fiat Yamaha Team legend rode a total of 26 laps at the Misano race circuit on a YZF-R1 World Superbike machine that was provided by the Yamaha World Superbike Team, and recorded a best time of 1’38.200.
Rossi did an initial run of 11 laps with a best time of 1’41.000 and then a second run of 15 laps with a best time of 1’38.200 (unofficial times).
Back in June, four World Superbike teams completed two days of testing at the Misano Circuit (Aprilia, BMW, Suzuki and Yamaha). At the end of the first session, Max Biaggi on the Aprilia RSV4 had the quickest times.
At the conclusion of the two-day test, it was all Yamaha, with Sterilgarda teammates Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland posted the fastest times. Both riders completed 90 laps, with Crutchlow posting a 1:36.2 and Toseland a 1:36.3, the quickest times in both days of testing combined.
Rossi, the reigning MotoGP World Champion was surprisingly able to ride well over his 26-lap return to the road racing saddle but he did had some pain in his leg and his shoulder.
The Fiat team has reported that he will now continue with an updated rehabilitation program and make a decision within the next week as to whether he will ride at the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring, in ten days time.
Valentino Rossi says: “We made this test in order to understand how we must work from here and to see more or less how I can ride the bike. The test was positive, because I can at least ride, but there is a lot more to a MotoGP race than to a test like this one.”
“I had some pain in the ankle, the knee and the shoulder, but above all I lacked strength in the shoulder and a bit of movement in the ankle. I would really like to come back at Sachsenring, but it is still too early to say.”
“We still have twelve days and we must wait and see how much we can improve my condition in the next few days. The Superbike today was good and great fun to ride! I really would like to ride at Sachsenring, but we must wait another week before making a decision.”
Valentino Rossi (after winning the MotoGP championship in ’09) said: “I am like the old chicken (hen) – 30 years now – but I have made another egg!” He went on to say “That’s nine (eggs)!”
Having broken bones, plates and screws is certainly no fun. It is a world wonder enough to know that Rossi even laid this egg or made the attempt.