Reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi will return from injury at this weekend’s German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, looking to receive full approval from the Chief Medical Officer at the circuit today before he can confirm if he will ride.

Rossi has missed four races over his injury and currently sits seventh in the championship standings, the 31-year-old has been recovering at home in Italy and has undergone an intensive rehabilitation program which has resulted in him being back on a bike earlier than expected.

“I’m really excited that my doctors think I can ride this weekend,” Rossi commented overnight. “Tomorrow I will see the medical officer and then we will have the final decision. I felt good on the R1 but I know my M1 at the track is a different thing and it will be hard for me, but I miss my bike and my team and I want to try.

“I am really looking forward to seeing everyone and being back in the paddock – I was tired of being at home! Wataru will be there as well so if there is a problem he will ride my bike again.”

The nine-time champion has produced some masterful displays at the Sachsenring over the years, including a superb race in 2006 when he won from tenth position and he has a total of five wins at the track.

The evergreen Italian has had two successful tests on a Yamaha World Superbike in the last week and has been given the all-clear by his doctors, he just has to await the decision of the event Chief Medical Officer later today before he can be sure of riding.

Wataru Yoshikawa stood in for Rossi at the last round in Catalunya and the Japanese test rider will be present in Germany this weekend and ready to ride if needed.

“Though only one month has passed since Mugello, Valentino is back and I am amazed at the marvellous recovery he has made,” said the 41-year-old. “I respect his decision to try to ride, and it seems from the R1 test he did that he is still very fast!

“I am ready to ride if I need to, but it will be good if Valentino is back in his rightful place. I have learnt a lot riding the M1 in a racing environment and I think it will be useful in my future development work.”

Yamaha team boss Davide Brivio is thrilled to have Rossi back for the weekend, sooner than originally anticipated.

“Valentino has made big effort to be ready to race in Sachsenring this weekend,” the Italian explained. “He really wanted to be back riding his M1 as soon as he could and so he’s worked hard to make his recovery as quick as possible. We expect him to take a couple of races to be up to speed and competitive at the top after his injury, but it’s very nice to see him back with us.”