While he was still well placed to challenge for the world title this year, Rossi unfortunately suffered fractures to his tibia and fibula, which led to his withdrawal from his home Grand Prix in Misano. For the next GP in Aragon, he will be replaced by the Dutchman Michal van der Mark.
Valentino explains the misfortune that happened thus: “ Unfortunately, I was with all my friends on an enduro bike, taking a ride around the hills behind Urbino, in the countryside. It's something I've been doing for 18 years with my father, so for a long time. Very near the end, on a descent at very low speed, I lost the front and, in order not to fall, I put my foot on the ground. But it was a bit downhill, all the weight of the bike was on my leg and it broke.
“I learned from my previous leg fracture that in this phase of convalescence, you have to live day by day. Much depends on how the leg behaves, the level of pain.
“We are already working and we are trying to come back as soon as possible. The next race after Misano is Aragon, but 22 days after the injury is too tight, barely three weeks.
“We need twice that, about 40 days. Last time I came back after 40 days. But this time, the fracture is better, much less painful, but it is very early to tell.
“The leg is painful, but generally I feel good, and the mental pain is much worse. It was a real shame to lose all the chances for the championship and the possibility of racing in front of all my fans in Misano. »
Vale's half-brother, Luca Marini, was present when he fell. “ Yes, I was there, we still had about twelve minutes of riding left when he fell, explained Luca, who did not consider the controversy that followed, concerning off-road training, very constructive. “In my opinion, the more you practice, the better. In a gym it's good, but after a while it gets boring. When you think about your career and for the next ten years you will have to do the same things, you will get a little bored.
“The most useful training, since we can't ride the motorcycles we use for racing, is with anything that has an engine and two wheels. It's perfect for training. At the Ranch we ride on Saturdays when we are home.
“I agree that motocross is dangerous, even professionals get injured. But everything else must be done, always with your head and the highest concentration. The more variety, the more fun this work and play is. »
Photos © Yamaha, Forward Racing
Sources: Motogp.com, Simon Patterson for MCN and Alessio Brunori for motograndprix.motorionline.com
