SPERO NN CI SIA!!
We saw you greeting the Spanish fans before the qualifying session. Do feel a larger support here because you are sponsored by Repsol, a Spanish company?
"You feel the support of the fans here a lot. The Repsol Honda Team is a Spanish team and I guess that Spanish fans fortunately appreciate my efforts. We have a lot of races in Spain and I’ve always tried to give my best and to be nice to them, because they are always nice to me.”
How does the reigning World Champion arrive at the first round in Qatar?
“I’d like to arrive and say “Hey! I’m great, everything’s perfect!”, but it’s been a very complicated preseason, first recovering from my shoulder surgery and then with the extra aspect of working on a completely new bike. Now I’m really looking forward to the start of the races.”
Can you make a brief summary of what the 2007 preseason has been for you, from Valencia after the Grand Prix to the end of today’s tests?
“There’s been a big change since the end of the season. I tested the RC212V, I got the shoulder surgery and I started to work again. I’ve enjoyed riding the new 800cc more and more. I’m looking forward to the races and to see what happens in Qatar when the red lights go off.”
Can you tell us about the development and the evolution of the new RC212V since the first time you got on the bike until today?
“The bike has evolved a lot although there actually hasn’t been any radical change. I think that now we’re just riding a little different and the change is that now we know much better how to ride it. We will really discover it once the racing starts.”
Do you feel that you have overcome the hardest moment of the season? I mean the tests in Qatar.
“Yes, I feel much better than what I did in Qatar. It was quite difficult, but this has never been an easy game. There are always hard days on your way and what we have to do is to raise our heads, think positive and continue fighting.”
Inevitable question: your main rivals in the fight for the team will be….
“You know, there are no one-armed riders in MotoGP and this is a highly competitive paddock. This is something that people from outside do not always understand. But all of these guys are really tough. Looking back on these tests Dani and Valentino are obviously very strong. But you never know and any rider can give a surprise any Sunday.”
Is this season’s main objective to keep the number 1?
“Of course. I did everything I could to get this number 1 and to keep it will be even harder. But, well, this is going to be my competition number and I will be very proud to carry this number 1. What I want is to enjoy and that’s what happens when I give my best. I’m a lucky guy because I’m getting paid to race on a motorbike, it could be something worse. In any case, what I have to do is to continue enjoying this year and to continue improving.”
Have you really been able to have some rest since the end of last season?
I mean, everybody is saying that it seemed that the 2006 World Championship just finished yesterday and we’re just about to start again…
“Of course. It’s time to start racing, I’m ready.”