Valentino Rossi confirms he will race in Japanese MotoGP
Last updated on .From the section MotoGP
Valentino Rossi has confirmed he will take part in October's Japanese MotoGP.
The multiple world champion was one of several top riders to voice concerns about racing at Motegi after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear emergency earlier this year.
But after reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo agreed to race earlier this week, Rossi has now decided to join him on the grid.
"It looks quite safe so yes, I will go to race at Motegi," said the Italian.
"I will go to Japan for the race. All the [radiation] tests are negative."
The Japanese Grand Prix was originally scheduled for 24 April but was moved following the disaster.
An independent report was published at the end of July which concluded that the circuit and surrounding area were safe for competitors.
British rider Cal Crutchlow and his Tech 3 Yamaha team have already confirmed they will race, with championship leader Casey Stoner the only high-profile rider yet to confirm his place for the race on October 2.
Motegi lies north of Tokyo but several hundred kilometres south of the worst-affected radiation zones in north-eastern Japan.
The March earthquake and tsunami left more than 20,000 people dead or missing.
