Yamaha racing veteran Valentino Rossi tests positive for COVID-19
Rossi is the first MotoGP racer infected by COVID-19.
Valentino Rossi, MotoGP racer for the Monster Energy Yamaha team has tested positive for COVID-19. The veteran motorcycle racer has been a nine-time World Champion throughout his career and after his doctor confirmed his infection, Rossi will miss the first of two MotorLand Aragon event races scheduled this weekend. He will also most likely miss the Teruel MotoGP next weekend held at the same venue.
Rossi expressed his frustrations on his social media and the turn of events that led to the findings of his doctor.
Unfortunately, this morning I woke up and I was not feeling good. My bones were sore and I had a slight fever, so I immediately called the doctor who tested me twice. The ‘quick PCR test’ result was negative, just like the test I underwent on Tuesday. But the second one, of which the result was sent to me at 16:00 this afternoon, was unfortunately positive.
He added, “I am so disappointed that I will have to miss the race at Aragon. I’d like to be optimistic and confident, but I expect the second round in Aragon to be a ‘no go’ for me as well… I am sad and angry because I did my best to respect the protocol and although the test I had on Tuesday was negative, I self-isolated since my arrival from le Mans.”
Because of this, Rossi will now have to isolate himself from the rest of the teams participating in the MotoGP races. He will be regularly monitored and tested until his condition improves. However, even after then, he may still be required to be put in isolation for at least another week for precautionary measures to avoid infecting any other members of the team and the rest of the participants in the coming races.
The pandemic has already pushed back the MotoGP racing calendar for this year’s season, with a number of races already reduced just so the season can continue for the rest of the year. However, Valentino Rossi’s performance throughout the year has been lackluster, finding difficulty to keep up with his competitors including Fabio Quartararo and Danilo Petrucci during the French MotoGP in Le Mans. Rossi has signed for the Petronas SRT team for next year, leaving the Monster Energy Yamaha team by the end of the season.
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