Rossi returns for MotoGP Virtual Race 2

Valentino Rossi has been added back into the rider line-up for MotoGP’s second Virtual Race set to take place this weekend.

The first-ever MotoGP Virtual Race, a six-lap Mugello event on the official MotoGP19 video game which was won by Alex Marquez for Repsol Honda, saw Rossi initially announced as one of the riders set to compete before subsequently withdrawing.

But for the second MotoGP Virtual Race, set to be a 10-lap affair around Austria’s Red Bull Ring, Rossi returns alongside factory Yamaha team-mate Maverick Vinales, while Marquez is set to defend his crown for Repsol Honda competing alongside brother and team-mate Marc Marquez.

MotoGP Virtual Race 2 rider line-up:

Repsol Honda Team: Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez

Ducati Team: Danilo Petrucci, Michele Pirro

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP: Valentino Rossi, Maverick Viñales

Petronas Yamaha SRT: Fabio Quartararo

Pramac Racing: Francesco Bagnaia

LCR Honda Idemitsu: Takaaki Nakagami

Reale Avintia Racing: Tito Rabat

Qualifying will be held directly before the race with a five-minute Superpole-style shootout to decide the starting grid and both qualifying and the race will be broadcast by numerous TV networks plus MotoGP’s own social media and video channels.

The race is set to take place on Sunday April 12 at 15:00 (GMT+2), followed by a live rider debrief on MotoGP’s Instagram channel with the winner.

Real MotoGP racing is not currently set to begin until June 21 at Sachsenring at the earliest, following the recent postponements to both the Italian and Catalunya rounds.