Title battle reignited as Rossi returns in Germany

FIAT Yamaha has officially confirmed that record-breaking MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi is to rejoin the fray at the Sachsenring in Germany this weekend - meaning the 2010 title battle is back on with a vengeance!
What had begun to look like turning into a one-horse race for the 2010 MotoGP laurels is set to be reignited in this weekend's German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, with confirmation from FIAT Yamaha that following a six-week injury absence, record-breaking multiple world champion Valentino Rossi will return to the grid.

Having broken his leg during practice at Mugello early last month, Rossi has spent the past six weeks convalescing at home in Italy, and the general paddock consensus was that his chances of clinching an extraordinary eighth premier class crown had shattered into the bargain.

However, so swift and successful has the Urbino native's recovery been that – subject to the full approval of the circuit's chief medical officer on Thursday, having already received the all-clear from his own doctors – he will rejoin the competitive fray on Friday, following an intensive rehabilitation programme that culminated in a brace of positive test outings on a World Superbike Championship Yamaha R1 over the last few days, far earlier than expected.

Should he indeed prove fit to compete in Germany, the reigning world champion will have missed only four of the 18 races this season, and whilst sitting just seventh in the standings at 104 markers adrift of team-mate and runaway championship-leader Jorge Lorenzo, with 275 points left to play for the title might now be an uphill challenge but it is equally by no means out-of-the-question.

Moreover, 'The Doctor' has produced some masterful displays at the Sachsenring over the years, including a superb performance in 2006 when he prevailed from tenth on the grid and a narrow triumph over Lorenzo by a scant 99 thousandths of a second twelve months ago – two of five victories there since 2000 – and he is palpably champing at the bit to get back on-track again, if cautious about his prospects.

“I'm really excited that my doctors think I can ride this weekend,” enthused the 31-year-old. “Tomorrow I will see the medical officer and then we will have the final decision. I felt good on the R1; I know my M1 at the track is a different thing and it will be hard for me, but I miss my bike and my team and I want to try.

“I am really looking forward to seeing everyone and being back in the paddock – I was tired of being at home! Wataru [Yoshikawa] will be there as well, so if there is a problem he will ride my bike again.”

Indeed, Yamaha's veteran Japanese test rider will be on-hand once more in case of need, but it is clear that Rossi's team manager Davide Brivio is eager to see his talisman rider back on the grid.

“Valentino has made a big effort to be ready to race at the Sachsenring this weekend,” affirmed the Italian. “He really wanted to be back riding his M1 as soon as he could, so he's worked hard to make his recovery as quick as possible. We expect him to take a couple of races to be up-to-speed and competitive at the top after his injury, but it's very nice to see him back with us.”

 

Let the games begin, but alas I love the doc but I dont think he can bring it home this season.

 

Lorenzo is in top form and I don't expect Rossi to be able to run at the absolute top level right away. Definitely an uphill battle for the championship. Either way, it's great to have him back. Now that he's probably going to be racing at Laguna, I may re-consider going.

 

If anyone could pull this off, it'd be Rossi.

 

He'll do it.

 

Rossi cleared to race in Germany
15 July 2010


Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi will return at this weekend's German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring. The Italian has officially been cleared to race just six week's after his accident at Mugello, Italy.

The Fiat Yamaha rider was examined by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Huber Fischer, this week, who found him fit enough to compete this weekend.

Valentino Rossi has missed a total of four races this season and is currently in seventh in the championship standings. His team-mate Jorge Lorenzo leads the championship.

 

Rossi talks MotoGP comeback, 2011 news at Brno

Valentino Rossi returned to the MotoGP paddock for the first time since being airlifted out of Mugello with a broken leg on June 5, on Thursday at the Sachsenring.

The reigning seven time MotoGP champion has been given final medical clearance to attempt a return to action in this weekend's German Grand Prix - one month earlier than even he had initially hoped.

Speaking at the pre-event press conference, Rossi - who has completed two tests on a Yamaha R1 World Superbike since his accident, but no MotoGP laps - explained his current state of health and why he felt the need to enter the two races that remain before the start of the summer break.

"Immediately after the crash the doctors said it could be five months before I was fit to return; maybe five months to play football, but I just need to ride the bike," said Rossi.

"The feeling in Misano [when he first tested an R1] was quite positive and the feeling in [the second test at] Brno was even better, so we made the decision to return this weekend at Sachsenring. I'm in pretty good shape, but it will be difficult over full race distance I think.

"These two races at Sachsenring and Laguna are very important if I am to comeback in good shape for the last five or six races of the season and try again to win."

The Italian also revealed that the ligament damage to his shoulder, sustained in a motocross accident after his round one victory in Qatar, is actually a greater problem in terms of riding than his healing leg.

"My shoulder has improved a lot as well, but there is still some pain. The injury to the leg was worse, sure, but I think it will be less of a problem on the bike than the shoulder," he revealed.

Rossi refused to confirm or deny the rumours about a possible move to Ducati for the 2011 season, telling the assembled journalists:

"It's too early to say now, but I think we will be ready to announce our plans for 2011 at Brno [August 13-15]."

Rossi has dropped from second in the championship to seventh after missing the last four races.

The #46 is now 104 points behind team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, who has won five of the seven races this season.

"I think everyone is happy to see Valentino back and, from my side, I'm looking forward to fighting with him once again," said Lorenzo, when asked about the return of his team-mate.

 

I haven't been excited for a premier class race in awhile. This weekend should be good.