( CNN ) -- Italian superstar Valentino Rossi has made a remarkable return to the MotoGP circuit , just 41 days after breaking his leg . The reigning world champion recorded the seventh fastest time in practice for Sunday 's German Grand Prix at Sachsenring behind pace setter Dani Pedrosa of Spain . Rossi 's Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo , who has opened up a big lead in the title race in his absence , was second fastest ahead of Saturday 's qualifying which will decide the grid positions . The 31-year-old Rossi suffered a nasty fracture of his right tibia in a crash at Mugello in Italy and was expected to be ruled out for the rest of the season . But after missing four rounds , he has returned following test sessions at Misano and Brno to gauge his fitness . `` I feel good and this track is helping me because a lot of it turns to the left , '' Rossi told the official MotoGP website . `` I am feeling quite confident on the bike and also my shoulder is good and not giving me problems . Now I have some pain in the leg and ankle but it 's not too bad . '' During his absence , Rossi has slipped to seventh in the title standings , 104 points behind Lorenzo and 52 adrift of second-placed Pedrosa . The nine-time world champion is hoping his leg will allow him to take part in qualifying and the race proper . `` Now we will have to wait until Saturday morning to see how the leg is and whether it has swelled overnight or developed any problems . '' His old rival Casey Stoner of Australia was not surprised to see Rossi back in action . `` When I heard he was testing at Misano I thought it was really fast , but at the same time I 've heard of people getting their collarbone plated and riding within a week , so there was always a possibility of him coming back here , '' he said .
Valentino Rossi records seventh fastest time in practice for German MotoGP . The Italian rider is the first to break a minute and a half barrier on his debut at the Sachsenring circuit since he was 16 years old. Dani Pedrosa sets fastest time ahead of title leader Jorge Lorenzo .