How do Ferrari know what I'm doing next year when I don't know what I'm doing next week?

You try to do a technical feature: in front of me I had a strong rider who brakes hard and it's difficult to pass.

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.

I try to have a different relationship with the bike. I don't give it a name, but I always speak with it. I don't know if the other riders do the same. This is not only a piece of metal - there is a soul. The bike talks back too. But not with a voice, with the components

To be a great motorbike racer, the most important thing is passion for the bike.

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

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.