Valentino Rossi and Jeremy Burgess will split following Valencia.

Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi has made the shock announcement that he will part ways with Australian crew chief Jeremy Burgess at the close of the 2013 season.

Following this weekend’s final round of the MotoGP World Championship at Valencia in Spain, Rossi has opted to bring in a brand new crew chief at Yamaha for 2014 following a 14-year relationship with Burgess.

“The rumours are true,” Rossi confirmed. “Not that I am not happy with Jeremy, but I think next year Jeremy will not be my chief mechanic. It was a very difficult decision for me because I have a great history with him.

“He is not just my chief mechanic but part of my family and my father of racing. But I have decided that next year I need to change something to try and find new motivation to have a new boost to improve my level and my speed.”

Rossi first teamed up with Burgess in 2000 as a 500cc Grand Prix rookie, going on to win championships together in 2001, 2002 and 2003 at Honda.

The pair then made the dramatic switch to Yamaha in 2004, making it a successful transition with titles in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009.

Two seasons at Ducati in 2011 and 2012 were the low points of both careers, amassing just three podiums in the period.

Upon return to Yamaha in 2013 Rossi currently sits fourth in the standings, his lone victory coming at Assen in the Netherlands as one of six podium placings.

On top of his seven championships with Rossi, Burgess also won a world title with Wayne Gardner (1987) and five with Mick Doohan (1994-1998).