I like physical exercise. I actually like sports in general. I really like snowboarding and playing soccer, too.

It is dangerous and unbelievably fast and entirely different from the kind of track I am used to racing on

I would have probably stolen cars - it would have given me the same adrenaline rush as racing.

The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the bike... you have to understand what she wants. I think of a motorcycle as a woman, and I know that sounds silly, but it's true.

If I test the car for a year I can be quite competitive the next season.

Barcelona is a special track. I have always loved the layout of the circuit, but also the atmosphere and the fans are special. It has always been good fun.

In 2002 the Yamaha was at more or less the same level as the Honda, better in some ways, worse in others. But in the winter of last year between 2002 and 2003, Honda made a big step forward and it seemed as if Yamaha couldn't quite match that improvement.