Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi says he is still in ‘severe’ pain following the motocross crash that hospitalised him last week but intends to ride at his home MotoGP round at Mugello.

The Doctor suffered kidney and liver lesions in the accident and will have to undergo a circuit medical check tomorrow before he is cleared to take part in free practice at the Italian track tomorrow.

“Unfortunately I crashed while I was training on a motocross bike. The pain in the abdomen and in the chest is still severe. Fortunately, my condition is improving day by day and this allows me to think a bit more positively about the Mugello weekend,” said Rossi.

“My desire to be at the start of the Italian GP is so strong and I’m working on recovering as soon as possible. It will not be easy but I still have a few days to continue the treatment. On Thursday I will have to do the medical check-up to get the OK to go on the track. If all is well, I will ride my YZR-M1 on Friday to really understand my condition. I will do my best to be on track Sunday, for sure.”

Rossi will not take part in tomorrow's press conference as he wants to maximise healing time before Friday morning.