Repsol YPF

His world-level experience started in the year 1994 as Englishman Niall MacKenzie's mechanic in the Yamaha team, though a year later he made the jump to Superbikes when he was hired by Honda. He spent two years working with Aaron Slight and, hand in hand with Honda, returned to the Continental Circus in 1998 as Tady Okada's mechanic. In the Repsol Honda Team he had the opportunity of working during a few races with Mick Doohan, and in 2001 we became part of Tohru Ukawa's team of mechanics. In 2002 and 2003 he won the MotoGP World Championship alongside Valentino Rossi; a year later he worked with Alex Barros. Since the 2005 season, he has been in charge of Nicky Hayden's box, with whom he won the World Championship the following year, this time as Chief Mechanic.

How would you define Nicky Hayden as a rider?
He's a very focused person and easy to work with, and that has helped a lot over the last four years. That makes the job a lot easier. He never complains at anyone if something won't work.

What aspect do you think he could improve on?
He maybe needs to be more consistent in the training sessions, which would help. Though he always does better in the races; he's a fighter.

The pre-season and the start in Qatar were not easy, but since Jerez the results have started to arrive. What do you think of the Repsol Honda RC212V 2008?
The bike we have now seems to be performing well. We had a lot of problems during the pre-season and did not do a particularly good job during this year's training sessions. I think we missed out on aspects which were very important, and did not get off to a very good start. But now the bike seems to be performing well, and I reckon that if Honda manages to improve the engine a bit more, we'll have a very good bike.

You have worked with champions such as Doohan, Rossi, and Hayden himself. What makes the difference for a rider to win the World Championship?
The riders who have won a World title on a number of occasions, like Doohan or Rossi, have incredibly strong willpower. I think this is the most important quality. They are very strong, mentally speaking. There is always a degree of luck involved in every championship, but you basically win a championship by being constant and fast every week, finishing on the podium in almost every race. What's more, Valentino and Mick wouldn't worry about what anyone said about them, or about what was happening around them. I think the key quality is mental strength, much more important than physical condition or the bike. Willpower is the main difference and is what sets a rider apart.

Many new young and very talented riders have started in this category. Is it now easier to adapt to the top category? Do you think the level in MotoGP has risen?
I can't say if the level has risen in the category, we're only two races into the Championship. It's probably easier now for the 250cc riders to adapt to the greater control they currently have over the power of their bikes, but Dovizioso or Lorenzo are very talented riders. Though I think we should wait two or three races more to see if the level of the category has really changed that much, though in my opinion, as the season progresses we'll probably have the same riders as last year, and maybe a couple more who might have options. It may be tighter, but I don't think the level has risen that much.

5/5/2008

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