A freak accident as he was closing his curtains at home in Italy has left motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi in stitches.

The effervescent Moto GP great may have no trouble throwing his Yamaha motorbike around the world's fastest racing circuits at death-defying speeds, but this simplest of domestic chores proved beyond him.

As the eight-time world champion was drawing the curtains he fell, smashing a glass table and injuring his hand and left foot.

A statement from his Yamaha team said Rossi went to his local hospital where "several stitches were required on each wound".

The accident has not disrupted Rossi's plans to leave for Malaysia on Tuesday to start testing his new bike for the 2009 season, Yamaha said.

"But it is not immediately clear whether his injuries will allow him to ride comfortably this week," the Japanese team added.

Rossi, a lifelong Inter Milan fan, has recently returned to make his home in Italy after a spell living in London, having reached a settlement with the Italian tax authorities over unpaid revenue.

In recent months Rossi has swapped two wheels for four, finishing 11th in the Rally of New Zealand and testing a Formula One Ferrari.

He has another two-year contract with Yamaha after which he says he is keen to tackle a full season as a world rally championship driver.