Valentino Rossi’s 2010 season so far

Nobody ever expects Valentino Rossi’s season to be without its fair share of pivotal moments, but the first half of the reigning World Champion’s 2010 campaign must go down as one of the most eventful of his illustrious career to date. Victory in round one, despair in injury and a highly impressive return to action have all been packed into the opening nine rounds by the 31 year-old Italian.

Starting the defence of his title with a win in Qatar Rossi began his quest for an eighth premier class title in the perfect manner, but a motocross training accident shortly after resulted in an injured shoulder which was to continue troubling him for some time. Pain proved no insurmountable obstacle however and third place at Jerez in the next round proved Rossi’s determination. Second place behind team-mate Jorge Lorenzo at Le Mans in round three maintained his solid start as another intense battle between the pair formed early in the campaign.

Eager to secure a second win of the season in his home race at Mugello disaster struck in the second practice session as a crash resulted in a fractured right tibia and fibula, an injury which was to rule Rossi out for four races, a considerably shorter period than had first been suggested. It also brought to an end his record breaking run of 230 successive Grand Prix starts, having never missed a race since his World Championship debut in 1996.

Back on two wheels a little over four weeks after the injury Rossi tested a superbike at Misano at the start of July, and a few days later a second day at Brno led to a decision by the rider and his Fiat Yamaha team to attempt a comeback at Sachsenring. Just six weeks after breaking his leg The Doctor rode to fourth position in the race, losing out on a podium spot only on the final corner of the last lap.

Completing a remarkable comeback Rossi placed third in the next race at Laguna Seca, refusing to hold back in his effort to get his campaign back on course. Fifth in the standings on 90 points, some 120 off leader Lorenzo, the title looks beyond his grasp in 2010 but few would be surprised if Rossi mounted an impressive attempt at recovering lost ground over the remaining nine rounds.