Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP and Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis have given an update on Valentino Rossi’s positive COVID-19 result, detailing the chronological order of events that led to the positive PCR test on Thursday afternoon in Aragon.
— Valentino Rossi (@ValeYellow46) October 15, 2020
- On Sunday 11th October, Rossi left the Le Mans circuit and travelled back to his home in Tavullia, Italy.
- On Tuesday 13th October, Rossi underwent the usual PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test, which is compulsory for those who visit their homes in between races. The result was available the next day and it was negative.
- On Wednesday 14th October, Rossi was feeling fully fit and he trained at home without any symptoms or inconveniences.
- On Thursday 15th October, he woke up in the morning and felt a bit sore. He had a slight fever and immediately called a doctor. The doctor conducted two tests:
1. A ’quick PCR test‘, that again came back with a negative test result.
2. A standard PCR test, of which the result arrived on Thursday 15th October, at 16:00 local time. Unfortunately this result was positive.
- During Rossi‘s stay at his home from Sunday night (11th October) to today (15th October), he has NOT been in contact with any person that is currently present at the Gran Premio de Aragon, including VR46 Academy riders, VR46 staff, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team members etc.
- Rossi's condition will be closely monitored by the medical staff in Tavullia.
- The situation will be reviewed every day with a view to Rossi's participation at the upcoming MotoGP™ race events.
Lin Jarvis: “This is very bad news for Valentino and very bad news for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team and for all MotoGP fans around the world. First and foremost we hope Valentino will not suffer too much in the coming days and will recover fully in the shortest time possible. It comes as a second blow for our MotoGP operations having faced the absence of Project Leader Sumi-san and five YMC engineers at the Le Mans race after one member tested positive – despite being fortunately totally asymptomatic.
“These two incidents remind us that no matter how careful you are, the risk is always present - as we see with the rising numbers of infections in Europe at this time. We have checked with the Italian health authorities and we have been advised that any member of our team that was in contact with Valentino up until Monday is excluded from direct risk. Nevertheless, we will be even more attentive from now on to minimise the chance for any future issues.”