I've always like roadracing, but you know how it is in a family when you're young. They thought it was a little too dangerous so I started with Trials riding.

In Malaysia where the front end pushes so much, extra engine braking is really going to help you.

The rider and the team need to understand one another and work in the same direction. Then the rider's happy, and only then will the rider be able to give 100%.

So while I was studying, I rode my Trials bike, then I moved to roadracing.

With roadracing, it takes a lot more time and money.

What the other teams do is something that I can never control, so I just keep focussed on my direction.

I've enjoyed winning races in both 500cc and MotoGP and enjoyed leading the world championship and contesting it right up until the end.