Rossi Could Miss Last Races of 2010 for Shoulder Surgery

Valentino Rossi might miss the last two races in the 2010 MotoGP championship in order to undergo surgery on his shoulder. The Italian sustained two major injuries this year, one during a motocross event in April when he crashed and damaged his shoulder and the other during the Mugello practice, when he injured his leg.

Although the latter caused him to miss a bunch of races midway through the season, it is his shoulder that doesn't let him race properly. And although he stated that he wants to race for the remaining 5 races of the season, Rossi admitted after the race in Aragon that he may have to miss the last couple of races to address his shoulder problems more seriously.

“Unfortunately we have Motegi in front, which is the worst track for the shoulder. But after we have Australia and Sepang where we have to try to race, especially because I rode in Sepang with the same bike when I was fit, so it's interesting to understand (the effect of the injury),” said Rossi during the Aragon GP, as reported by Autosport.

“After Australia and Sepang we will find a decision. At this moment, we have just decided to go to the next three races, and after we will decide about the last two,” added the Italian rider.

Missing the last two races in the 2010 calendar would make more sense for the Doctor, as it would provide him with enough healing time to start the preparation for the 2011 campaign in a good medical condition. Considering that he'll also switch teams this off-season, making the best of his testing time with Ducati will be crucial, so he needs to get better as soon as possible.

Additionally, he has nothing to race for in the closing stages of the season, as he is already outside the title fight in 2010. Having missed three races after Mugello, he is now 4th in the overall classification, 144 points behind championship leader and teammate Jorge Lorenzo.