LE MANS, FRANCE - MAY 21: Valentino Rossi of Italy and Movistar Yamaha MotoGP heads down a straight during the W-U during the MotoGp of France - Race on May 21, 2017 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

The Italian based Yamaha Moto GP Team is looking forward to this weekend's Italian Grand prix at the Mugellcircuit as it will be their first official home race of the 2017 MotoGP season.

The upcoming weekend is also a very important one for local hero Valentino Rossi, who is feeling extra motivated to dig deep and put on a show for his dedicated fans.

Having left the "Ospedale Infermi" in Rimini on May 26th, after being diagnosed with mild thoracic and abdominal trauma as the result of a motocross training accident, the Italian will undergo a medical check-up at the circuit on Thursday to receive an official declaration of fitness.

“Unfortunately I crashed while I was training on a motocross bike,” Rossi explained. “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.”

“ 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.”

Once cleared the Doctor aims to add another top result to his previous record of seven back-to-back premier class victories at Mugello from 2002 to 2008, three third places in 2009, 2014 and 2015, a 250cc win in 1999, a second place in 1998, and a 125cc win in 1997.

The action at the challenging 5.2km circuit will kick off this Friday. Mugello hosted its first MotoGP event back in 1976 and became a permanent fixture in 1991.

Soon it became a much beloved circuit amongst riders and engineers, as well as the thousands of enthusiastic fans that cheer them on, thanks to its mixture of uphill and downhill sections, a variety of fast and slow turns (six left, nine right), and its 1141m longest straight at the centre of the track, set within beautiful countryside of Tuscany, offering the spectators great views.