MotoGP team Yamaha decided against entering a replacement rider in place of Valentino Rossi for the upcoming Gran Premio de Teruel.

Last Thursday, the nine-time world champion returned a positive Covid-19 test after he underwent two tests after he woke up reporting sore bones and a slight fever. The results, which made him the first MotoGP rider to test positive for the coronavirus, saw him miss Sunday's Aragon Grand Prix.

"Due to Italian law, Valentino Rossi will be unable to attend the Gran Premio de Teruel event," the team said in a statement.

"Yamaha has carefully weighed their options and decided not to enter a replacement rider to substitute for Rossi for the upcoming Gran Premio de Teruel. This decision was based on the high stress that is put on Yamaha's MotoGP project members during this Covid-19 influenced season."

The event is due to take place between October 23-25 but Rossi will still be in quarantine by then. Health rules in Italy dictate that any person who tests positive for Covid-19 must be in self-isolation for 10 days from the moment of the test; Rossi was tested on the morning of October 15.

Rossi still must also test negative thereafter, Yamaha added, to guarantee that he can return to competing.

"Therefore, the earliest that Rossi can participate in a MotoGP event will be at the Gran Premio de Europa, held at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia on 6th - 8th November."

There had been speculation that Rossi would be replaced for the race by test rider Jorge Lorenzo. However, his Spanish teammate Maverick Viñales will now race solo.

"During next week's Gran Premio de Teruel, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP will be fully focusing its efforts on supporting Maverick Viñales," the statement said.

The 41-year-old is currently 14th in the MotoGP standings on 58 points, 63 behind overall leader Joan Mir of Spain who rides for Suzuki.

(With input from agencies)