Rossi to race at Sachsenring if cleared by track medical - UPDATED

As expected, Rossi and the Fiat Yamaha team announced that the Doctor will indeed be racing at the Sachsenring MotoGP event this weekend—only six weeks after his nasty practice crash at Mugello that resulted in a compound fracture of his right tibia. After recent tests on a Yamaha Superbike that saw him turning very competitive times, Rossi was sufficiently convinced enough of his fitness that he will be traveling to Germany to be examined by the Sachsenring circuit’s Chief Medical Officer in order to gain final clearance to race. While it may seem like a slam dunk considering his recent test results, the German medical personnel are reportedly much more strict than other countries when it comes to giving full clearance for competitors. In the event that Rossi is not given the go-ahead, Yamaha test rider Wataru Yoshikawa will be present and continue to take Rossi’s place if necessary.

"I'm really excited that my doctors think I can ride this weekend,” enthused Rossi. “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."

UPDATE 7/15/10: Rossi was given full clearance this morning to compete in the Sachsenring MotoGP event starting tomorrow. The circuit's chief medical officer for this event, Dr. Huber Fischer, found him fit enough to compete this weekend. This is not only a welcome return to MotoGP by his legions of fans and the Fiat Yamaha team, but also by Dorna, who were beginning to see flagging TV ratings and advance ticket sales. However, even the possibility of Rossi returning at the German GP was reportedly bumping up ticket sales...