Dani Pedrosa will need a new crew chief for 2015, with Mike Leitner deciding to leave at the end of the pr✱esent MotoGP season.

Leitner has 𝓀been at Pedrosa's side since the Spaniar🔯d's move from the 125 to 250GP in 2004.

Pedrosa🌃 won the title during both his seasons in the 250cc class, then took Leitner with him to MotoGP with Repsol Honda in 2006. Pedrosa has since won 26 premier-class races and finished as title 🙈runner-up on three occasions.

Leitner made 57 grand prix starts as a🧜 125cc rider before switching to technical roles, including two years at Ohlins before teaming up with Pedrosa.

Repsol Honda team🦩 manage𓂃r Livio Suppo confirmed that Leitner's decision was unexpected.

"It was a last-🐈minute decision by Mike. We respect it. It was a question of changing lifestyle. Now we have to think about how to replace him," Suppo told the Dorna TV feed.

"No drama. We are all professionals. Dani understands the situation and we keep going in these next three races, which are very important for ♎Dani. So no worries."

Pedrosa is joint second in the standings with Val♑entino Rossi headi𓄧ng into this weekend's Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.

Earlier in the season it was rumoured that Pedrosa was considering changing his crew chief. The Spanish media suggests that such talk may have prompted Leitner to quit, even though Pedrosa is thought to have ultimately🅠 wanted the 52-year-old Austrꦬian to stay.