4 Feb 2009

Rossi suffers injury in fall

7:22 am on 4 February 2009

MotoGP world motorcycling champion Valentino Rossi has had stitches in his left hand and foot after an accident at his home.

The Yamaha rider tripped and fell on to a glass table, which broke, cutting the ring finger of his hand and the sole of his left foot.

He went straight to the hospital where he had stitches in each injury.

It is not yet clear if the injuries will cause him any discomfort when riding but he has flown to Malaysia for pre-season testing as planned.

Rossi, who has two years left on his contract with Yamaha, secured his sixth top-class world title last season after a two-year absence from the top of the championship podium.

In the close season, he did some test driving for the Ferrari Formula One team and also competed in a stage of the World Rally Championship.