Valentino Rossi’s last win came at Assen this season. If more don’t come the Doctor said he will retire. Image: MotoGP

Nine time world champion Valentino Rossi has hinted at possibly announcing his retirement early next season if he believes he does not have what it takes to run at the front.

In an interview on the Italian TV channel Mediaset, the MotoGP Star has said that the early tests and the first six races of the 2014 would be crucial to the longevity of his career.

“In 2014 I need to be at the front, closer to the first three,” Rossi said.

Rossi still has interest in racing and confirms that he has not lost his motivation to keep on racing if he can be more competitive.

“If I’m here and I want to keep racing, I will have to stay ahead in 2014, closer to the first three. From February to June, the tests and the first six races will be crucial for deciding whether to continue or stop racing in MotoGP at the end of the season.

“I’d like to continue for another couple of years, but only if they are competitive.”

In an effort to close the gap to the front, Rossi recently sacked his long time Australian crew chief Jeremy Burgess in a move that shocked everybody.

Rossi has not given himself six races purely by coincidence, the sixth race of 2014 season will be Rossi’s home Italian round, at Mugello.