( CNN ) -- Valentino Rossi 's hopes of retaining his MotoGP title were shattered on Saturday when the nine-time world champion motorcyclist suffered a horrific crash in a practice session for his home race in Italy . The 31-year-old could be out for months after fracturing a shin bone in his leg when he was thrown from his Yamaha in the second session ahead of qualifying at Mugello . He had an operation on Saturday afternoon , the official MotoGP Web site reported , after being flown to Careggi Hospital in Florence and then moved to the orthopedic trauma center . `` It 's an injury more serious than we thought , because it 's an exposed fracture with the bone protruding from the skin , '' Doctor Claudio Macchiagodena of the sport 's traveling medics Clinica Mobile told motogp.com . `` We have reduced the fracture , which fortunately has not affected any blood vessels or nerves . It is serious . '' Doctor Roberto Buzzi , who performed the operation , said Rossi would be ruled out for at least two months . The rider , known as `` The Doctor '' among other nicknames , could miss eight races , starting with Sunday 's Italian Grand Prix -- which he has won nine times . `` The surgery had good results , '' Buzzi told motogp.com . `` The alignment was good and the bone is now stable . `` The wound remains open , as is usual in these cases , and it will be stitched in the next few days with another short surgery . We are confident that Valentino will be able to leave the hospital in a week to 10 days , able to put weight on the leg with the aid of crutches . `` It is difficult to say how long the post surgery rehabilitation will take . But I think that we can reasonably think of six weeks of partial weight-bearing with crutches , after which Valentino needs to be re-evaluated . '' Rossi has not missed a race since his debut in the 125cc class in Malaysia in 1996 , but his record run of 230 successive GP starts will now end . He is second overall in the world championship standings this season , nine points behind Jorge Lorenzo of Spain , who will start Sunday 's race second on the grid behind compatriot Dani Pedrosa . Australia 's former world champion Casey Stoner qualified third ahead of Ducati teammate Nicky Hayden , whose veteran fellow American Colin Edwards was fifth on a Monster Yamaha Tech 3 . Pedrosa is fourth overall , 30 points behind Lorenzo , as he seeks his first win of 2010 . Lorenzo is seeking his third successive victory in what is the fourth race of the season . `` I want to say how sad I am for Valentino . I know how bad it is to be injured , especially at your home race , and it looks very painful for him , '' the 23 year-old told motogp.com . `` I hope he recovers quickly because the championship will not be the same without him . ''
MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi to have operation after fracturing his leg . Italian thrown off his bike during practice session ahead of home race in Mugello . He will miss a race for the first time since his debut in the 125cc class in 1996 . Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo qualifies second on grid behind Dani Pedrosa .