TAVULLIA, Italy – MotoGP star Valentino Rossi confirmed in a Twitter post Thursday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Rossi, who rides for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing, said in his statement that he woke up Thursday morning not feeling well and called his doctor in order to be tested for COVID-19. He took two tests, the first being a quick PCR test and the second being a standard PCR test.
The first test result came back negative, however the second test returned a positive result. He has not been in contact with anyone that is currently present at MotorLand Aragon. He self isolated following his return home in Italy following the most recent MotoGP race in Le Mans, France.
As a result, Rossi will be forced to sit out the upcoming MotoGP round at MotorLand Aragon in Spain this weekend.
“Unfortunately, this morning I woke up and I was not feeling good,” Rossi said. “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.
“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. Anyway, this is the way it is, and I can’t do anything to change the situation. I will now follow the medical advice, and I just hope I will be feeling well soon.”
The Monster Energy Yamaha team has not announced if anyone will ride in Rossi’s place this weekend.
“This is very bad news for Valentino and very bad news for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team and for all MotoGP fans around the world,” said Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis. “First and foremost we hope Valentino will not suffer too much in the coming days and will recover fully in the shortest time possible.
“It comes as a second blow for our MotoGP operations having faced the absence of Project Leader Sumi-san and five YMC engineers at the Le Mans race after one member tested positive – despite being fortunately totally asymptomatic.
“These two incidents remind us that no matter how careful you are, the risk is always present – as we see with the rising numbers of infections in Europe at this time.
“We have checked with the Italian health authorities and we have been advised that any member of our team that was in contact with Valentino up until Monday is excluded from direct risk.
“Nevertheless, we will be even more attentive from now on to minimise the chance for any future issues.”