MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has been cleared to race in this weekend's German Grand Prix six weeks after breaking his leg.
The 31-year-old Italian, who said he hopes to announce his 2011 plans at the August 15 Czech Grand Prix, was examined by circuit chief medical officer Huber Fischer at the Sachsenring and deemed fit enough to compete.Rossi suffered the injury in practice for last month's Italian Grand Prix and was initially told by doctors that he would be out for at least three months.
He has missed four races and dropped to seventh in the standings led by Spanish Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.
"Immediately after the crash the doctors said it could be five months before I was fit to return; maybe five months to play football, but I just need to ride the bike," Rossi said.
"The feeling in Misano was quite positive and the feeling in Brno was even better, so we made the decision to return this weekend at Sachsenring," he added, referring to two recent tests on a Yamaha superbike.
"I'm in pretty good shape, but it will be difficult over full race distance I think."
Japanese test rider Wataru Yoshikawa stood in for Rossi at the last race in Barcelona and will also be at Sachsenring should a problem arise.
Rossi, winner of the season-opener in Qatar, had originally targeted the Czech Grand Prix in Brno for his comeback.
"These two races at Sachsenring and (the US Grand Prix at) Laguna (Seca) are very important if I am to come back in good shape for the last five or six races of the season and try again to win," he said.
"My shoulder has improved a lot as well, but there is still some pain. The injury to the leg was worse, sure, but I think it will be less of a problem on the bike than the shoulder."
The winner of nine titles in all categories, who hurt his back in a fall off a motocross bike in April, has been linked to a move to Ducati for next season.
Australian former champion Casey Stoner has already announced his switch from Ducati to Honda and Rossi was coy about his plans.
"It's too early to say now, but I think we will be ready to announce our plans for 2011 at Brno," he said.