RIMINI—Italian motorbike legend Valentino Rossi was rushed to hospital after injuring his stomach and chest during his Motocross training ahead of next weekend’s Italian MotoGP at Mugello.

The 38-year-old Yamaha rider suffered the injuries at the Cross Club Cavallara in Mondavio in the province of Marche.

After being admitted to a hospital in Rimini and diagnosed with “mild thoracic and abdominal trauma” Rossi was kept overnight under observation from the medical team.

The Movistar Yamaha racing team issued a statement regarding the rider’s injuries.

“Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team rider Valentino Rossi was involved in a motocross training accident at the Cross Club Cavallara in Mondavio (Pesaro Urbino, Italy), on Thursday, May 25th.”

“The 38-year-old Italian rider was taken to a local hospital for a medical check-up, where he was diagnosed with mild thoracic and abdominal trauma.”

“No fractures have been detected in any part of the body and no serious traumatic pathologies were found.”

A further medical bulletin is to be issued later on Friday.

The Italian rider, known as “the doctor” was accompanied by his family and a close friend to the hospital, after he had previously returned home after the accident.

Rossi currently lies third in the 2017 MotoGP standing and will be hoping for a swift recovery ahead of the next race in Mugello.

Spaniard Maverick Viñales leads the rankings with fellow countryman Dani Pedrosa in second.

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