Next weekend, local motorcycle race fans will be treated to the second-race return of one of the best riders in the history of the sport: Valentino Rossi. Rossi—a nine-time world champion—will ride this weekend in Germany, making his return to the sport on the Sachsenring Circuit for the Fiat Yamaha factory team.

Almost two months ago, the Italian suffered a devastating crash at his home grand prix at Mugello during a practice run. The result was a broken leg and further shoulder injuries to a bruised upper body. It also put down any hopes of retaining a third-consectutive world championship in the premier class of Moto GP, but his rapid recovery with still 10 races to go until the season is over leaves nothing set in stone for any rider.

Rossi's teammate, Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo currently leads the championship going to Germany after a run of three sucessive wins and nothing lower than a second place this season.

Rossi and crew race next weekend in the Red Bull U.S. Moto GP at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Follow all the fast race action on the Weekly's photo blog: mcweekly.com/photoblog