“I’m very happy because I won a lot. I’ve won races and lived in a world that just gave me joy, so I remember it very positively.”

It’s a big, big advantage because understanding what changes we might make takes time and it takes time to work out settings and to understand everything about the new machine.

The speed is something dangerous but very exciting.

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

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.

I am completely focused on being strong, riding fast, and enjoying myself. With the new generation of riders, only the chronometer counts. I need to be faster than them on track.

Riding a race bike is an art – a thing that you do because you feel something inside.

Giving yourself threads doesn’t mean you don’t believe in yourself in my opinion.

We kept on racing, doing something that Luis [Salom] loved. Fortunately or unfortunately, life goes on.

The tragic incident of Luis Salom reminds us that our sport, our passion, is dangerous. We know it but, in a way, we don’t think about it.

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

Once the races begin it’s more difficult and there is never that much time for testing.

I’m Valentino Rossi. And I want to be a person, not an icon.

Also, when I started racing he knew a lot of people and it was more easy for me to find the first bike, so I have a good chance for sure.

The work that we do during the winter is very important; we have a new bike and it’s important to develop it during this time.

Fortunately during my career I have won more or less everything, so I need to enjoy it to have the right motivation.

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.

Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness.

The pleasure that is in sorrow is sweeter than the pleasure of pleasure itself.

If you are a taker of happiness you get misery, if you are a giver of happiness you get joy and love.

Pleasure is oft a visitant; but pain Clings cruelly to us.

Being unconditionally happy is a practice: “Come what may, today I’m going to smile. Anyway, everything is going to die! Everything is going to vanish and disappear-so what! Who cares! Let me at least be happy, smile this moment, enjoy my very breath.”

What can be added to the happiness of the man who is in health, who is out of debt, and has a clear conscience?

I, as a cricketer, would like to see 100 counties playing top-flight cricket, just like tennis and football. If I am alive to see that, I will be very happy.

I will not call that person happy who knows no rest because of his enemies, who is the butt of fun by all and for whom no one has any empathy, who is as if held on a leash by others, who has lost himself in hedonistic pursuits, who preys on those weaker to him and wags his tail for his superiors.