Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi says he is determined to ride in this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, despite suffering still from ‘sever epain’ in his abdomen and chest following a motorcross training crash last week.
Rossi sustained mild trauma to his chest and abdomen when he fell off his motocross bike while out training in Italy last week. He spent the night in a Rimini hospital, but was discharged the following day.
Though still in considerable discomfort, Rossi admits that his condition is improving every day and will use Friday’s practice sessions to determine his physical fitness for the remainder of the weekend, providing he is given the all clear by the circuit’s doctors on Thursday.
“Unfortunately I crashed while I was training on a motocross bike,” he said.
“The pain in the abdomen and in the chest is still severe. Fortunately, my condition is improving day by day and this allows me to think a bit more positively about the Mugello weekend.
“My desire to be at the start of the Italian GP is so strong, and I’m working on recovering as soon as possible. It will not be easy, but I still have a few days to continue the treatment.
“On Thursday, I will have to do the medical check-up to get the OK to go on track. If all is well, I will ride my YZR-M1 on Friday to really understand my condition. I will do my best to be on track on Sunday, for sure.”
Rossi was scheduled to appear in Thursday’s pre-event press conference, but has since pulled out and will conduct a media briefing in Yamaha’s hospitality instead.
This injury has come at an awkward time for Rossi, who heads into the Italian Grand Prix 23 points down on team-mate Maverick Vinales after the Italian crashed out of the French Grand Prix on the final lap.
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