MOTOGP
FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 6 / SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2020
MISANO WORLD CIRCUIT MARCO SIMONCELLI / RIMINI, SAN MARINO
P72
ROSSI STAYING
A speculative article in the German-
speaking media set the internet alight
on the eve of the San Marino Grand
Prix. The article alleged Valentino Rossi
would imminently announce his retire-
ment from MotoGP because Petronas
SRT Yamaha has yet to announce his
move. That and the surprise availability
of Andrea Dovizioso on the rapidly
dwindling riders' market. Rossi used
Thursday's press conference to quash
the rumors. "Not true," he said. "The
situation is the same as two or three
weeks ago. I am taking time with
Yamaha because we are not in a hurry.
We are very close to the signing. I will
race with Petronas at 99% because the
signing is not yet there. Maybe in (the)
Barcelona (GP at the end of Septem-
ber) it will be announced."
MARTIN TESTS
POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
Jorge Martin became the MotoGP
paddock's highest profile corona-
virus case as it was confirmed on
Thursday that he did not travel to Mi-
sano. In Brno, a cameraman working
with French TV was quarantined after
showing a positive test. In Austria,
Red Bull Rookie competitor Matteo
Bertelle missed the two races at the
Styrian Grand Prix due to a posi-
tive test. Now Martin, second in the
Moto2 title fight to leader Luca Mari-
ni, has been struck down. Despite
the positive test, a statement from
his Red Bull Ajo KTM team stated
he "feels well and is quarantined at
home, respecting the safety proto-
cols of the health authorities." There
was no date given for his return.
Briefly...
Due to Quartararo's
misfortunes, Andrea
Dovizioso (04) now
leads the world
championship,
despite an
uninspiring race.
