Silvano Galbusera will join Valentino Rossi at Yamaha in 2014.

Yamaha Factory Racing has confirmed that Silvano Galbusera will replace Jeremy Burgess as crew chief to Valentino Rossi in 2014, commencing his role on Monday at Valencia.

Burgess was sensationally let go by Rossi late last week after a 14-year partnership, his future remaining uncertain (click here for details).

“It’s nice to welcome Silvano back to the Yamaha family,” said team director Massimo Meregalli. “Having worked with him personally for 10 years I have the utmost respect for his skill and technical expertise.

“For sure he will need some time to adjust to MotoGP, but I have no doubt that he has the capability to successfully lead Valentino’s crew into and through the 2014 season.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Jeremy over this last season. On behalf of Yamaha I would like to say we are indebted to him for the huge number of successes and invaluable knowledge he has contributed to Yamaha.”

Galbusera began his career in motorcycle racing in 1979 with Gilera, spending 14 years working on both road racing in the 250 World Championship with riders such as Alessandro Gramigni and Paolo Casoli.

He also worked off road on African Rallies such as the Paris-Dakar with Michele Rinaldi, before he then moved to Cagiva in 1994 and worked in the 500 World Championship with John Kocinski.

The following year saw Silvano arrive in the Yamaha family where he remained until 2011. During his time there he worked as both a crew chief and technical director in World Superbike and World Supersport, guiding riders including Troy Corser, Noriyuki Haga, Cal Crutchlow and Ben Spies to multiple race wins and the 2009 World Superbike Championship title.

For 2012 and 2013 Galbusera worked with Italian Marco Melandri in BMW’s World Superbike team.

“I’d like to thank Yamaha and Valentino for this great opportunity to work close to such a multi-titled, high level champion,” Galbusera said. “I’m happy to be back in the Yamaha family and to have an opportunity in such a successful team that is always at the top.”