Valentino Rossi has Mugello metalwork removed

Valentino Rossi has undergone a successful operation to remove the titanium rod that was inserted in his right tibia following a high-speed practice crash at the 2010 Italian MotoGP race.

The 32-year-old had the operation at Cattolica’s Cervesi Hospital shortly after his return from Kuala Lumpur, where he enjoyed a successful debut on Ducati’s new factory GP12 machine.

Rossi was fifth quickest in the Sepang test behind Repsol Honda duo Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa and factory Yamaha pairing Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies.

After the successful leg operation, Rossi will be fit for the second Sepang test in Malaysia, which is due to start on February 28.

The Mugello crash in the summer of 2010 was the worst for Rossi in his illustrious career and the subsequent lay-off ended his proud record of having never missed a Grand Prix in his career.

The cause of the crash was blamed on a cold rear Bridgestone tyre after the nine-times world champion had slowed on track to avoid giving a tow to Hector Barbera.

It signalled the end of his 2010 title challenge and was the beginning of the end of his distinguished factory Yamaha career.