Rossi to Test Superbike Yamaha at Misano

Italian champion Valentino Rossi will ride a Superbike-prepared Yamaha on the Misano circuit today, as confirmed in a statement released by his MotoGP team. The Doctor will get on the saddle of a YZF-R1 WSB in order for his medical staff to evaluate the possibility of him returning to MotoGP action from as early as the German GP, at Sachsenring.

The reigning MotoGP champion broke his leg in a crash that occurred in the Italian GP practice session, at Mugello, and has been sidelined ever since. Although his return to the series was initially projected for mid August, at Brno, it is believed that he may join teammate Jorge Lorenzo in the FIAT Yamaha lineup two weekends from now.

“The Italian has made an excellent recovery so far since breaking his leg at Mugello on 5th June and he has decided to proceed with the test ride today in order to better understand his current physical condition,” said the statement from Yamaha.

“Riding a racing motorcycle will help Valentino and his doctors to plan the next stage of his rehabilitation programme in order that he may return to racing as soon as he feels confident to do so. The test will take place using a YZF-R1 WSB machine provided by the Yamaha World Superbike team to the Fiat Yamaha team.”

During the course of yesterday, MotoGP doctor Claudio Costa was quoted as saying to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that “this is payback for me, because I had immediately predicted short recovery times,” hinting that Rossi will most likely return to racing in Germany. He did however warned the Italian that a new crash would make things worse for him, in case he's not 100 percent fit for racing.