Now that you have had a chance to ride the Suzuki GSV-R, what are your first thoughts?"How comfortable and easy the bike is to ride straight out of the box, it is lacking in power at the moment compared to some other bikes but the team know that and that's what we are working on for '06.”
How have you settled in with your new crew?
”My crew are a great bunch of guys and they have so much experience. Their work methods are very methodical and nothing is a problem to change and they work so well between themselves.”
How have you found the transition from a Superbike to a MotoGP bike?
”So far the transition hasn't been easy, the only thing a Superbike has in common is the amount of power it produces. Other than that a MotoGP bike is built as a race bike and there are so many more things you can adjust with the bike to make it work for you, this is the difficult part learning about this, but when you get it right man they go fast!”
You have been able to test both Bridgestone dry and wet tyres how did you like the feel and grip of them?” I was very surprised with the grip of the Bridgestone tyres especially in the front and how much lean angle I can carry using them. They are also a great company to work with.”
When you tested at Valencia you and another rider had 17 on their bikes. What number will you race with in 2006 and why?
” I will use number 71 next year. I like to have a number 7 in my racing number because of Barry Sheene who was a great help at the beginning of my career. My choice would be to use 77 first or 17, numbers that I have used in the past, but other riders are using these. Hopefully we can get number 71 up to the front of the field.”
The fitness required to ride a MotoGP bike is a very high standard. What training programme have you got planned through the winter?
”The winter (summer in Australia) is the period where I train the hardest of all the season to get myself to a fitness level that I can maintain during the year. I do a lot of running, mountain biking, motocross and some gym work, I am also very active with surfing and working on my farm and this keeps me pretty fit.”
You will only get one season on the current 990cc MotoGP machine before the limit changes to 800cc. What are your views on the new limit that is coming in for the 2007 season?
”To be totally honest I am not sure why they are changing the rules to 800cc so I am not for or against it. From my opinion it's just great to get at the early stages of the new bike with Suzuki and have a part in developing the bike.”
After the test at Sepang in November where and who with are you planning to spend the winter and Christmas period?
”I am going home to Australia (the sunshine coast). I will spend the festive season with my family (Mum, Dad and my three sisters) and my girlfriend Toni is coming over with me from the UK.”
We understand that you also have a big interest in cars. Can you tell us a bit about what cars you have and what is so special about them?
” I have been into old cars for a while especially Hot Rods. I have has a soft spot for mid 50's Ford F-100's and when I found parts of a 54 model for sale I jumped at it. My Dad and I spent two years restoring it. Recently I was looking for something to have in Europe and I bought a built Hot Rod from America, a 1933 Ford coupe (pictured). Now I am looking at starting to build another rod in Australia with my Dad, I love it!”
If you didn't race motorcycles what else do you think you would do for a living and what would be your dream job?
”At school I wanted to be a sport scientist, I have a keen interest in how athlete's train.”
You have a very striking design on your Shoei helmet. Does it have any significance?
”It has evolved over the past couple of years but the flames stem from my Hot Rod interest.”
You will be visiting many new countries this coming season. Where are you most looking forward to going to and why and which circuit are you most exciting about racing on for the first time?
”I am looking forward to going to China. I have heard a little about it from the team and it just sounds very unique. I can't wait to race at Jerez and Barcelona, I have watched GP's at these two tracks for a long time and they look like great tracks to race on.”
What are your plans and hopes for next season?
”My first goal like any other rider in the paddock is to beat my team mate, but that is not going to be easy. John has a lot of experience and has proven how fast he is many times by qualifying on the front row and running top six often. It would be great if we could work well together with development and push each other so that we are both pushing for top positions consistently.”
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