MotoGP | Coronavirus: Valentino Rossi, no tests at the Red Bull Ring

MotoGP Motorcycle World Championship 2020 – Valentino Rossi was supposed to be at the Red Bull Ring for a private test aboard the production Yamaha R1.

The riders of the VR46 Riders Academy were also supposed to take to the track with him, but as reported by Speedweek.com, Austria denied entry permission due to coronavirus.

The Pesaro native (in the photo on the starting grid at the Red Bull Ring, ed.) was therefore unable to get on the saddle and was not able to do so either at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, where yesterday they rode to test the new asphalt Nicolò Bulega, Enea Bastianini, Mattia Pasini, Michele Pirro, Luca Bernardi, Alessandro Del Bianco, Lorenzo Gabellini, Giacomo Mora, Andrea Natali, Massimo Roccoli, Lorenzo Savadori, Luca Vitali and Matteo Ferrari, all drivers resident in Emilia Romagna (while Rossi, despite being close to more than 20 km from the circuit, resides in the Marche and due to Covid19 restrictions was unable to enter Emilia Romagna, ed.).

Marcel Schrotter, Jonas Folger and Jurgen Reich's "school" ran on the track at the Red Bull Ring and in the pits there was also a Yamaha R1 with the number 21 (Franco Morbidelli's number, who should have lapped together with Rossi, ed. ).

Statements Mandy Kainz Yamaha Austria Racing Team YART Test Valentino Rossi

“Everything was ready. Valentino Rossi would also come on a private flight to Graz with his Academy boys. As far as I know, he couldn't go to Misano. I wrote an email to Vice-Chancellor and Sports Minister Werner Kogler, but unfortunately I received no response. We had spoken first with Johan Stigefelt of Team Petronas and then with Massimo Meregalli (Yamaha). Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vinales were thought to be able to ride, but they were stuck in Andorra. We therefore informed Maio Meregalli, who is responsible for the Factory team and Rossi would come to test immediately.”

Also unable to film as said by Kainz were Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo who were "stuck" in Andorra and Michael Van der Mark who was unable to get tested for coronavirus quickly.