Rossi clear for European Grand Prix after two negative coronavirus tests

Valentino Rossi has been given the green light to return for Monster Energy Yamaha at the European Grand Prix, but Maverick Vinales will start from the pitlane.

Seven-time MotoGP champion Rossi missed the previous two races after contracting coronavirus and the factory Yamaha team did not run a replacement rider.

World Superbike rider Garrett Gerloff was placed on standby in case the veteran Italian did not return two negative PCR tests in time to compete this weekend.

Gerloff took part in both free practice sessions in Valencia on Friday but Monster Energy Yamaha confirmed Rossi will be back on track for qualifying on Saturday.

There he is!!!! @ValeYellow46's second PCR test came back negative. He is back in our pit box and will be riding tomorrow! #MonsterYamaha | #MotoGP | #EuropeanGP pic.twitter.com/rwtIVf4oiQ

— Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (@YamahaMotoGP) November 6, 2020

There was bad news for Vinales, though. The Spaniard was forced to take a sixth engine of the season for the European Grand Prix and will consequently start from the pits on Sunday.

It is a significant blow for the Spaniard, who is third in the riders' standings and just 19 points adrift of championship leader Joan Mir with three races remaining.

Vinales was 11th quickest in Valencia on Friday, with Ducati rider Jack Miller topping the timesheets in both sessions.

Pramac Racing rider Miller mastered a wet Circuit Ricardo Tormo in FP1 and was quickest on a drying track in the second session of the day, with Mir recording the 10th fastest time.