Valentino Rossi will again be without crew chief Jerry Burgess at this weekend's German MotoGP.
Burgess - the most successful crew chief in motorcycle grand prix history and at Rossi's side since his 2000 MotoGP debut - missed the recent Italian Grand Prix after returning to Australia to support his sick wife.
Burgess, who has won world titles with Rossi (7), Mick Doohan (5) and Wayne Gardner (1), was expected to return for this weekend's Sachsenring event. However, that will not be possible.
"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," Rossi's mechanic, Alex Briggs, wrote on his Twitter page (@Alex__Briggs).
At Mugello, the role of Rossi's crew chief was filled by Max Bartolini, who normally works as the Ducati team's Technical Manager.
Rossi finished sixth in front of his home fans and, although fourth in the world championship after eight rounds, he has only taken one podium finish.
