Rossi back on track at Misano
Valentino Rossi has completed his first laps of a grand prix circuit since the end of the Qatar MotoGP test on February 24, after which escalating coronavirus restrictions saw the opening race weekend cancelled and a lockdown in Europe.
The Italian, currently mulling whether to extend his record-breaking career with a move to the Petronas Yamaha team next season, joined possible 2021 team-mate Franco Morbidelli and other VR46 Academy members for a day at their local Misano circuit.
Valentino Rossi has completed his first laps of a grand prix circuit since the end of the Qatar MotoGP test on February 24, after which escalating coronavirus restrictions saw the opening race weekend cancelled and a lockdown in Europe.
The Italian, currently mulling whether to extend his record-breaking career with a move to the Petronas Yamaha team next season, joined possible 2021 team-mate Franco Morbidelli and other VR46 Academy members for a day at their local Misano circuit.
Pictures released by The Doctor on social media confirm he was riding a Yamaha R1 Superbike:
As well as Rossi and Morbidelli, Luca Marini, Stefano Manzi, Marco Bezzecchi and Andrea Migno were among the VR46 Academy riders in action at Misano:
Misano is due to host the San Marino MotoGP on September 13, making clear they are willing to hold a closed-door event if required. A second Misano race could also be held the weekend before/after, to replace the postponed Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.
Apart from Rossi and Morbidelli, Alex Rins is another MotoGP star to recently turn laps of a grand prix track on a superbike, joining some Moto2 and Moto3 riders at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.
Meanwhile, Rossi - whose own Moto Ranch recently re-opened for training - then concluded the weekend with some Motocross riding at Fermignano as he begins to ramp up his fitness ahead of July's proposed MotoGP season openers at Jerez on July 19 and 24.
