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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider MotoGP's Valentino Rossi tests positive for COVID-19

MotoGP's Valentino Rossi tests positive for COVID-19

Published Oct 16, 2020 10:16 am

The Doctor is out... at least for a while. MotoGP's nine-time World Champion will miss this weekend’s Aragon GP after testing positive for COVID-19 this week.

This development means the Monster Energy Yamaha rider will miss the first of two MotorLand Aragon events. His participation in the second Grand Prix at the same venue is also in serious doubt. The Doctor confirmed the news via social media.

“Unfortunately, this morning I woke up and I was not feeling good. My bones were score 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 said.

“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. Anyways, 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.”

Current MotoGP safety protocols require Rossi to isolate from the teams while his condition is regularly monitored and tested. Even if his condition improves, he may be required to continue isolation for at least a week in order not to infect any other members of the team or paddock.

Rossi had been looking forward to the 2020 season in order to benchmark his performance against the current riders before vacating his seat at Monster Energy. Unfortunately, the pandemic had pushed the season back and reduced the number of races. His results this season have been lackluster and the veteran has signed on for the Petronas SRT team for next year.

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