Valentino Rossi
I have a lot of energy after 2 A.M. I like to sleep in the morning. I have some problems at the start of the day.Collection: Morning
I don't like being famous - it is like a prison. And driving for Ferrari would make it far worse.Collection: Famous
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.Collection: Relationship
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.Collection: Chance
I would have probably stolen cars - it would have given me the same adrenaline rush as racing.Collection: Car
Riding a race bike is an art - a thing that you do because you feel something inside.Collection: Art
Maybe the bike is more dangerous, but the passion for the car for me is second to the bike.Collection: Car
The great fights with your strongest rivals are always the biggest motivation. When you win easily it's not the same taste.Collection: Great
I race to win. If I am on the bike or in a car it will always be the same.Collection: Car
Once the races begin it's more difficult and there is never that much time for testing.
I never race for records. The motivation to try to beat the record is not enough to continue. You have to enjoy it.
To be a great motorbike racer, the most important thing is passion for the bike.
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 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, and we start with this test.
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 always enjoyed myself a lot in pre-school.
My normal life is like being on holiday.
It is a big problem and so I don't know for sure if I say yes or no to Ferrari.
As for the level of spectacle of the two disciplines, I leave it to the people who watch the races to comment.
But I could also start F1 or rallying. I love rallying much more.
How do Ferrari know what I'm doing next year when I don't know what I'm doing next week?
I have won on Honda and Yamaha so maybe it is interesting to win with a third team, Ducati, who are Italian.
I'm Valentino Rossi. And I want to be a person, not an icon.
If I test the car for a year I can be quite competitive the next season.
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.
Maybe if Graziano make another work or another sport I wouldn't have had this passion to be a rider.
To win the Championship in the first year will be hard. We need time to become competitive and win races.
We have the 2004 M1 here for reference, which is useful. It worked well here last year; we won the race and always did fast lap times so it will be interesting to compare it to the new bike and it will help us to understand which parts have improved.
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.
You look at Moto3, the races are very exciting. Moto2 is fantastic, and then MotoGP is boring.
Fortunately during my career I have won more or less everything, so I need to enjoy it to have the right motivation.
My father raced bikes. He gave me the passion very early. I had my first bike when I was three or four years old.
I am able to ride the bike and think clearly about strategy and tyres. I also have positive thinking. I am very constructively critical.
The speed is something dangerous but very exciting.Collection: Speed
I try to have a different relationship with the bike. I don't give it a name, but I always speak with it. I don't know if the other riders do the same. This is not only a piece of metal - there is a soul. The bike talks back too. But not with a voice, with the componentsCollection: Names
Giving yourself threads doesn't mean you don't believe in yourself in my opinion.Collection: Believe
Luck is one thing. It has always been there, it has always been a part of my success. It's a part of everyone's success. Without it, you can't be successful. But luck is something you have to stimulate, something you have to nurture through the choices you make...That's why things have always worked out for me. Things work out not just because I'm lucky, but because I plan ahead. I figure out what I want and I go for it. I've always spent a lot of time trying to surround myself with the right people, the kinds of teammates who could lead me to my goals.Collection: Successful
Our sport is dangerous. We risk the life out there, so we need to stay calm and focused and leave all the rest out.Collection: Sports
Motivation is the key. More than training, more than experience or age, motivation counts. You have to ask yourself: 'Why am I racing?' I race because I like it, because I'm really enjoying it. I like to set up my bike and ride it on track. After 20 years in the GPs I'm still highly motivated. Everything else is a consequence.Collection: Motivation
I am still here because I like to prove myself. I still like to ride the bike on track and enjoy the races. I still have good reasons to be in racing after so many years.Collection: Years
I think the secret is to understand that you still want to be part of the game. To do so, you have to forget all the victories you've managed to get in the previous years and have a great humility. You also need to realise that, if you want to go on, you have to work hard. If you dwell too much on your past successes and say "well, I have won nine world titles and more than 100 races", you'd rather stay home.Collection: Humility
Friendship is very important to me. With some friends, we've known each other since we were kids and it's a very strong relationship. They always tell me what they think even when I am wrong. It's great to share with them the best moments. I also have many friends in the team, and I like to share my passion with them.Collection: Strong
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.Collection: Heart
You need to realise that, if you want to go on, you have to work hard. If you dwell too much on your past successes and say "well, I have won nine world titles and more than 100 races", you'd rather stay home. The sport, your rivals, the tyres, your motorcycle, everything changes so instead you need to work more to be stronger. If you don't, you're finished.Collection: Sports
I am focused on racing. I enjoy it. It's a great feeling to be back fighting for the title.Collection: Fighting
I'm lucky because I don't feel too much pressure - it's only in the last hour before the race, and even then it's good, positive pressure.Collection: Race
I have always challenged myself and it's also important to learn from the rivals. Every rider has his own style, and you have to count on some elements that cannot be changed. On the contrary, the bike or the tires can change and it's important to adapt yourself. It's up to the rider to understand what he can change and how much he can adapt.Collection: Style
My approach to the races hasn't changed in my 20-year career. If I have the chance to attack and to pass, I do it, trying to get the best possible result.Collection: Careers
I'm really happy, and beating Marc [Marquez] at the very last chicane gives me an extra boost.Collection: Giving
In 2009, I didn't like that Yamaha signed such a young and competitive teammate [Jorge Lorenzo]. But now everything is different. We are more mature. Everyone knows his role and position. Things are clear.Collection: Different