“In my opinion we are at the limit now, and 17 races is really too much. With all the testing that we do now, it means we’re always on the bike and it’s quite difficult.”

I am focused on racing. I enjoy it. It’s a great feeling to be back fighting for the title.

I have designs I like applied to my helmet, motorcycle, riding suits, gloves,and boots. I have a designer friend of mine put the designs on them for me. I think a livery on the helmet is significant in expressing a rider’s personality.

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

I was lucky. My father raced bikes. He gave me the passion very early. I had my first bike when I was three or four years old.

But I could also start F1 or rallying. I love rallying much more.

I don’t like being famous – it is like a prison. And driving for Ferrari would make it far worse.

I race to win. If I am on the bike or in a car it will always be the same.

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

Maybe the bike is more dangerous, but the passion for the car for me is second to the bike.

I’m really happy, and beating Marc [Marquez] at the very last chicane gives me an extra boost.

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.

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

I feel 100% a Yamaha rider in my heart. I had a long career and raced with several factory bikes, but the highlight of my career is undoubtedly with Yamaha.

I am able to ride the bike and think clearly about strategy and tyres. I also have positive thinking. I am very constructively critical.

I have so much respect for my opponents; many of them watched the races as little children and were supporting me!

If I test the car for a year I can be quite competitive the next season.

If a child has not been taught to behave properly by the age of four, it will forever be difficult for him or her to make friends.

To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.

It is always more difficult to fight successfully against Faith than against knowledge.

It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.

It is surmounting difficulties that make heroes.

Softhearted child, there has always been a warrior inside of you. And the only way it could have been awoken was through difficult trials and momentary pain.

Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.

There is nothing more difficult than waking someone who is only pretending to be asleep.