Valentino Rossi will once again be without his longtime crew chief and friend, Jerry Burgess. Burgess missed the Mugello GP to take care of his wife, Claudine, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Burgess will remain in Australia this weekend with his wife, as the Ducati team heads to Sachsenring for th 9th round of the MotoGP season.
Alex Briggs, one of Rossi's mechanics, wrote on Twitter:
"Jb will watch this race on TV. The road 2 recovery 4 his wife has got a bit longer, but still positive. He hopes 2 be in Laguna Seca."
Fabiano Sterlacchini of the Pramac Racing team filled in for Burgess at Mugello since Loris Capirossi was out of action. Capirossi is expecting to return this weekend for the German GP, however, and Ducati has not announced who will be looking after Rossi this weekend.
Crash.net reports that Max Bartolini, who normally works as the Ducati team's Technical Manager, will likely act as crew chief this weekend.
Burgess has been with Rossi during all 7 of his world titles. Burgess also helped Mick Doohan to 5 world titles and Wayne Gardner to 1 world title.
