A: "My first year with the Marlboro Yamaha Team, in 1999, wasn’t so good, because I’d had a big accident in ’98 and everything was new. In 2000 we fought for the championship with Roberts but when I needed to push I made some mistakes. Last year was quite hard for me, but my M1 tests at Brno during August gave me some new energy. And the last race at Rio was good. I didn’t win but I felt like a winner."

"Now we start with the four-stroke and I feel more motivated than ever. We’ve a lot of work to do because we’ve got a new bike but I’m enjoying myself and I’m very enthusiastic. I feel confident and comfortable with this bike. I can play with it and have fun, and that’s when you’re fast."

Q: You’ve been riding a tuned R1 on the track for the last few years, has that helped you with the M1?

A: "I’ve never raced a four-stroke, I got the R1 just for fun. It was a hobby for me, because we could enjoy modifying the bike for the track. I studied engineering at college so I Iike that kind of thing. Once we got the bike right I could do some really good lap times, I actually preferred the feeling of the R1 to the 500. And the bike also helped me to understand about racing four-strokes."

Q: Can you explain how the four-stroke’s engine braking helps you ride into and through a corner?

A: "The four-stroke gives more traction both on corner entry and exit. The engine braking helps to hug the bike to the ground into the corner, so you can use more corner speed, though it does take a lot of work and focus to achieve that. And when you open the throttle the power is very smooth and progressive, so you can open the throttle earlier. That’s why I prefer four-strokes."

Q: How do you think the four-strokes will compare to the 500s in this first MotoGP season?

A: "When I tested the M1 at Brno I was really surprised how well it compared to the 500. The two bikes actually feel quite similar, it’s just the engine braking, power delivery and weight that are different. Of course, the four-stroke does have some disadvantages. The minimum weight limit is 15kg more than the 500s, and you feel that extra weight when you’re braking hard, which takes some getting used to. At tracks like Le Mans, where it’s all heavy braking and acceleration, maybe the 500s will be better. But the four-strokes will have the advantage at tracks that are faster and more sweeping."

"And, of course, we’re just starting with the four-stroke, so the bike should get better and better. We’re already expecting an improved engine when we start our 2002 testing in late January."

Q: Do you prefer the noise of the M1 to the YZR500?

A: "Yes, I definitely prefer the four-stroke’s exhaust note. But my personal feeling is that we should raise the noise limit some more to make the show better for the fans."

Q: You must be looking forward to the IRTA tests – how do you think the M1 will fare against its four-stroke rivals and the 500s?

A: "My only focus at the moment is to give the best feedback I can to Yamaha, so we can keep improving the bike. Then we will start worrying about how the M1 compares to the other machines."

"It’s going to be a very unusual year because there’s so many different combinations of machine. Over the last few years it’s been two-stroke V4 500s on Michelin tyres, now we have three, four and five-cylinder four-strokes, plus the 500s and three different tyre brands. I think this is good but it will take a while to see which factory has chosen the correct direction, which bike has the best combination, which bike has the best overall balance. I think every race will be different, with each bike enjoying advantages at some tracks. For this season it’s going to be a really great championship for the fans."

Q: You have a new Spanish crew chief, who you know well, how is that helping you?

A: "I had an excellent relationship with my previous crew chief Mike Webb and I think we did a good job together. But for sure having Antonio makes a difference, because when things get tense at a GP, you need to be very, very precise with your words, and we both speak the same language. Also, I’ve worked with him before, when I was riding 250 and then 500 Hondas, so he understands what I need. I’ve also worked before with my new data technician Daniele. I think we have a great team this year, with Yoda and Suzuki joining us. "

Q: Have you had any holidays and what are your holiday plans for the rest of the winter, including Christmas?

A: "I’ve been enjoying a whole month of doing pretty much nothing, just taking time out with my girlfriend Gina, snowboarding and cross-country skiing in the Pyrenees and in Italy. During December I spent a week in Brisbane, enjoying some time with Simon Crafar and my mechanic Brent, and a few days on an island off the Malaysian coast while we were waiting to start testing at Sepang."

Q: What was your first ever job?

A: "Metal worker and builder."

Q: Favourite singer/band?

A: "U2."

Q: Favourite movie?

A: "Gladiator/LA Confidential."

Q: Your favourite journey?

A: "Driving a 4x4 across the Andes in Chile and Argentina."

Q: Your favourite place to party?

A: "It’s not where you party, it’s who you party with."

Q: Your idea of perfect happiness?

A: "The simple life, just being with family and friends."

Q: Best day of your life so far?

A: "Catalunya ’96, my first win, with King Juan Carlos on podium."

Q: Your favourite holiday destination?

A: "South America or Australia."

Q: How were you at school?

A: "Sometimes I was a bad boy."

Q: Best book you’ve ever read?

A: "Ken Follett, The Pillars of the Earth."

Q: What car do you drive?

A: "Alfa Romeo 156 turbo diesel."

Q: Do you ride bikes on the road?

A: "I’ve a Yamaha XJR1300, plus a scooter for London."