MotoGP 2017: Valentino Rossi Passes Medical Test To Make Aragon GP

Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi has been cleared to compete in the Aragon MotoGP race this weekend, following a medical check-up on Thursday. Rossi will use Friday practice to assess whether he will be able to contest for the remaining weekend. His return in just 21 days is nothing short of remarkable, after the Yamaha rider broke his leg in a motocross training accident. The immediate result was Rossi missing out on the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, where the team chose to contest with only Maverick Vinales, instead of two riders.

In a statement, Yamaha said, "This afternoon [Thursday] Valentino Rossi successfully completed a mandatory medical examination carried out by MotorLand Aragon's Chief Medical Officer, Clemente Millan. He declared that the nine-time world champion is fit to ride, 21 days after sustaining a leg injury. The Italian will take part in the FP1 session tomorrow."

The Free Practice session will play an important role to see if Rossi will be able to race for the entire weekend. The Italian said, "If I will be declared fit to ride, I'll have the real answer after FP1, because riding the M1 will be a much bigger challenge."

Following uncertainty over Rossi's recovery, Yamaha had announced World Superbike rider Michael van der Mark as Rossi's replacement at the Aragon GP. If the world champion is unable to continue with the remainder of the weekend, Van der Mark will take his place astride the M1. Rossi's crew will be working with Michael as well.

With Andrea Dovizios and Marc Marquez tied up on the points table with 199 points, Valentino Rossi is a distant fourth by 42 points. His teammate Maverick Vinales sits closer to the title in third place.