Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi has revealed that he will make a decision on retirement after the first six races of the 2014 MotoGP season.

The 34-year-old Italian rider, whose contract with Yamaha runs out at the end of next year, said that he will make up his mind when to call it a day after the Mugello race.

"If I'm here and I want to keep running, I will have to stay ahead in 2014, closer to the first three," he told Mediaset.

"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."

Rossi finished fourth in the riders' standings in the 2013 season.