Jeremy Burgess discusses his future following Valentino Rossi’s shock decision to replace him.

Iconic Australian Jeremy Burgess admits the stunning news that he will be stood down as Valentino Rossi’s crew chief ahead of the 2014 MotoGP World Championship came as a severe shock on Thursday at Valencia.

Burgess, winner of 13 premier class titles with Rossi along with Aussie duo Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner since 1987, will depart Yamaha at the close of the current season in Spain on Sunday.

A statement from Burgess regarding Rossi’s recent form earlier this year made headlines internationally, however Burgess insists that’s not the reason for Rossi’s shock decision.

“Look, clearly it blindsided me,” Burgess said. “I was not expecting it whatsoever. I knew yesterday afternoon when Valentino invited me into his trailer that we weren’t going in there for the Christmas bonus.

“For me perhaps the words of ‘won’t win again’, clearly I said ‘we won’t win again until we start winning races and getting on the podium’.

“That was the entirety of that statement and I don’t believe I would be paying for that. I think we all know you have to win races before you can win championships.”

Despite what Burgess declares a difficult past four seasons, 60-year-old Burgess isn’t yet ruling out a future in grand prix racing.

“I haven’t made any plans for the future at this stage,” he added. “My intention originally, obviously, was continue next year dependent on results and desire. Our contracts are year by year, so we are at that liberty to make a call.

“We have been chasing rainbows for four years, we haven’t nailed anything decent in those four years, so these are long periods in racing and it becomes more and more difficult.

“We have always worked on fixing the problems and have done that for four years. This is part of that fix – this is the next step to try and get Valentino back on top, extend his career and be competitive.”

Together with Burgess over a 14-year partnership, Rossi has amassed 80 victories and seven world titles since stepping into the premier class in 2000.

Click here for initial details published yesterday on the Rossi/Burgess split.