Valentino Rossi suffers double leg break in training accident
The 38-year-old is currently fourth in the MotoGP standings with six rounds left.
Valentino Rossi has undergone an operation to pin the broken bones he suffered in an enduro training accident in Italy on Thursday.
The nine-time world champion suffered displaced fractures to the tibia and fibula of his right leg in the accident near his hometown of Tavullia.
No timescale has been put on Rossi’s return but the Movistar Yamaha rider has vowed to be back on a bike as soon as possible.
Following the accident he was taken to the Ospedale Civile di Urbino hospital for tests, where the extent of his injuries were confirmed.
The 38-year-old Italian was then transferred to Ospedali Riuniti in Ancona where the operation was carried out between 2am and 3am (CET) on Friday by Dr Raffaele Pascarella, director of the orthopedics and traumatology division.
A statement from Movistar Yamaha revealed there were no complications during the surgery which involved fixing the fractures by inserting a metal pin, described as a locked intramedullary nail.
The statement added: “Yamaha would like to thank the entire staff of the Ospedale Civile di Urbino and Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona for their dedication and professional care.”
Rossi said: “The surgery went well. This morning, when I woke up, I felt already good. I would like to thank the staff of the Ospedali Riuniti in Ancona, and in particular Doctor Pascarella who operated on me.
“I’m very sorry for the incident. Now I want to be back on my bike as soon as possible. I will do my best to make it happen!”
The accident is not the first off-track incident to hamper Rossi’s attempts to land an elusive 10th world title this season, with his last championship success coming in 2009.
Rossi, who also suffered a bad break to the same leg in 2010 during a practice crash at Mugello, was hurt in May when he sustained injuries to his chest and stomach in a motocross accident.
Rossi is currently fourth in the MotoGP standings with six rounds left, sitting 26 points behind leader and compatriot Andrea Dovizioso. The next race is in Misano, Italy, on September 10.
