Rossi tests at Misano in potential Aragon return bid

The Italian rider had been expected to miss this weekend's Aragon Grand Prix following on from his motocross crash at the end of last month, which left him with a broken right leg.

World Superbike rider Michael van der Mark has already been selected by Yamaha as a replacement for Rossi at the Spanish event.

But it emerged on Monday that Rossi has been in Misano to assess his condition, just 18 days on from his crash - well short of the 30-40 day recovery period advised by doctors.

The 38-year-old was able to complete just a handful of laps aboard an R1M road bike before the test was interrupted by rain.

Weather permitting, he will try to complete further running on Tuesday.

"Valentino completed only seven or eight laps before it started to rain," Rossi's father Graziano told Motorsport.com.

"I was told he felt a lot of pain in his right leg, but he could not determine in so few laps whether a return at Aragon could be possible.

"The idea is to return to Misano tomorrow [Tuesday], hoping there is a time when the rain pauses, so Valentino can go back on track and see if a trip to Aragon is possible or not."

Should Rossi choose to head to Aragon and is passed fit to ride, he could use Friday's opening practice session to determine his suitability to compete, with van der Mark on standby in case he is forced to withdraw.

Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis has suggested that Rossi would only attempt to race at Aragon if he felt he had the chance of fighting for a top five.

After skipping his home race at Misano, Rossi lies fourth in the MotoGP points standings, 42 behind Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso.