Rossi drops out of MotoGP Virtual Race

Dorna has announced the full line-up of ten riders that will participate in this Sunday's MotoGP Virtual Race.

But Valentino Rossi won't be among them.

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Indianapolis MotoGP, MotoGP,
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Indianapolis MotoGP, MotoGP,
© Gold and Goose Photography

Dorna has announced the full line-up of ten riders that will participate in this Sunday's MotoGP Virtual Race.

But Valentino Rossi won't be among them.

The nine-time world champion was previously listed as taking part, but a Dorna statement declared: 'Despite earlier confirmation of participation, #46 Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) will not feature'.

Instead, the full Virtual Race line-up will be as follows:

Repsol Honda Team: Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP: Maverick Viñales

Aprilia Racing Team Gresini: Aleix Espargaro

Team Suzuki Ecstar: Alex Rins, Joan Mir

Petronas Yamaha SRT: Fabio Quartararo

Red Bull KTM Tech 3: Iker Lecuona, Miguel Oliveira

Pramac Racing: Francesco Bagnaia

Sunday's event will see riders compete for digital glory on the official MotoGP19 Videogame by taking part in a six-lap race at the Italian Grand Prix circuit of Mugello.

Before the race, a five-minute qualifying session in time-attack mode will decide grid positions.

'The riders will each be playing via a private “Race Direction” lobby, set up to invite each rider to the event – and send them the bike settings,' said a Dorna statement.

The event will be shown live online and by various TV broadcasters (including SKY Italy, Canal+ in France, DAZN in Spain and DACHS, BT Sport in the UK, Servus in Austria and Germany, Eurosport in the Netherlands, OTE in Greece, SwissTV in Switzerland, Viasat in Sweden, Pop in Slovenia, SportTV in Portugal, Sport5 Israel, Sportklub in Serbia, MTV Finland, NBC in the USA and ESPN in Latin America) at 15:00 (GMT+2).

The first race of the coronavirus-delayed 2020 MotoGP season is currently scheduled for Jerez on May 3, but further calendar amendments are expected.

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