Rossi Doesn't Rule Out 2010 Title Fight

A lot of people were not exactly enthused with Valentino Rossi's return to the MotoGP action only a month and a half after he suffered a leg injury in the Italian Grand Prix. And not because they didn't want to see The Doctor back in action as soon as possible, but because the general belief was that he hurried in that decision without being completely fit for racing.

After a couple of tests on the Misano and Brno race tracks on the saddle of a Superbike-prepared Yamaha, the Italian still felt some pain in his ankle and shoulder – which he injured earlier in the 2010 campaign. However, talking to Gazzetta dello Sport, he assured his fans that everything will be OK, as the medical staff has already cleared him for the Sachsenring race this weekend.

“This comeback is not a crazy thing, we've done everything we had to do. Rehabilitation was carried out scrupulously and I can move the ankle at 90%, just like the knee. The shinbone and fibula have started developing bone callus, and obviously the screw keeps the shinbone more steady,” said Rossi.

“I think I can ride, but for me this is a way to get back in shape. A lot will depend on the way I feel on the bike and on weather conditions.”

“I will have to be more careful if it rains; sunshine would be a lot more important for me than for the others. The only big question mark is stamina, I don't know if I can complete the race, because after a while my knee hurts and I lose strength.”

Additionally, he didn't rule out a potential title fight for the remainder of the season, as his 104-point deficit from teammate Jorge Lorenzo could be scrapped in the next 10 races.

“Even before the crash Lorenzo had demonstrated he was the rider in the best shape, he's been really strong. Can I make up the lost ground in the points? Obviously it's very difficult, but not impossible. There are many races to do yet, and taking 100 points more over eleven races is not impossible. We'll have to see many things,” concluded Rossi.