Rossi to miss Misano MotoGP, no replacement

Movistar Yamaha has officially confirmed that Valentino Rossi will not compete in his home MotoGP round at Misano, due to leg fractures suffered in last week's training accident, for which he required surgery.

The team also announced that the Italian will not be replaced, meaning Maverick Vinales will be their only rider this weekend.

"The whole of Yamaha wishes Valentino Rossi a speedy recovery and hopes to see him back on his YZR-M1 as soon as possible," the statement added.

Doctors predict Rossi will need 30-40 days before returning to MotoGP action. That would mean missing Misano and Aragon before a comeback at Motegi. But much depends on the speed of Rossi's recovery and Aragon (22 days) remains a possibility...

Factory test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga would be an obvious replacement, should the nine-time world champion not ride in Aragon. Nakasuga's Suzuka team-mate and Yamaha WorldSBK star Alex Lowes also has recent MotoGP experience from stand-in rides last year, but would need permission from Yamaha Europe.

Rossi is currently 26 points from Ducati's title leader Andrea Dovizioso. Vinales is third in the standings, 13 points from the Ducati rider.