Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi has set a Mugello deadline as the time when he will make a decision to retire from the sport.

In an interview with Mediaset in Italy, The Doctor said that performances at early tests and the first six races of the year would determine whether he would carry on call it a day when his Yamaha contract runs out at the end of 2014.

"If I'm here and I want to keep running, I will have to stay ahead in 2014, closer to the first three. From February to June, the test 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," said Rossi.

It just so happens that his home round of Mugello is the sixth race of the schedule. It is more than possible there will be a lot of tears on that Sunday night...