2Dub: I understand that you didn’t know this track (JenningsGP) existed - What do you think of the track?
CE: It’s awesome, I’m really surprised, you know what I grew up on was Oakhill Raceway in Texas, I thought that was awesome back then. Obviously there’s no elevation changes here but apart from that, the pavement is just incredible. There’s a couple of areas that are broken up, but apart from that, 99% of the track is perfect.
2Dub: Obviously the track owners have big aspirations for the track, do you see any potential here for some serious competition, AMA in particular?
CE: Hell, yeah. Facility-wise it needs some work, parking, trailer accommodations, spectator seating, stuff like that but as far as the track is concerned it’s awesome. There’s some tracks on the AMA calendar that this place rivals.
2Dub: Do you ever worry about doing these type of events? Obviously there’s potential to be taken out by someone (me)?
CE: Yeah you know, you’ve got to be careful, I usually like to come from behind and not let someone hang out on my tail, if I’m going to pass someone I like to gap them real wide, give them plenty of room, I just try to do what their doing and not get too crazy. I probably spend more time watching them than actually watching where I’m going.
2Dub: Let’s go back in time to when you first rode the Aprilia RS Cube, which was a pretty quick bike from the get go, did you think you could get it round to behaving itself as far as handling issues?
CE: Yeah, I'm very big on self motivation, so when I set my mind to something or when I get my mind focused on a particular goal I don’t stop. Sometimes that’s good sometimes it’s bad because it’s good to have that kind of determination and will, but sometimes you have the blinders on and you can’t really see the big picture because you’re so focused on what you’re trying to accomplish. I mean I had every aspiration, and every bone in my body was 100% committed to get this thing turned around. Some things went good, some bad and toward the end of the season, especially the last race, I was pretty happy with it. So I think the bikes gone forward pretty well, we’ve done a lot with it this year and it can only go forward.
2Dub: Do you think Aprilia has what it takes to continue that development?
CE: Without doubt, they have everything they need to win a championship in Grand Prix. As far as the bike is concerned, the direction they take has to be handled delicately, you can’t just go off in one direction thinking that’s the only way forward, there’s a lot of things they need to consider what everyone one else is doing, I don’t want to throw anyone under the bus here, they just need to find the right direction, once you do that, success happens.
2Dub: Was it frustrating to see how well Troy Bayliss went this year? Obviously you beat him in a head to head fight for the 2002 World Superbike Championship?
CE: Put yourself in my position, I knew it was going to be tough and I was giving blood at every race I went to, he was my motivator because I looked at it in a way that if he was doing good that made me look good because everyone knew we were on the same level. He was the second me and he made me realize that that’s what I could do if I had the right equipment. So it was great - I preferred him to do well rather than bad.
2Dub: Now you’ve ridden the RC211V, is that everything that you expected it to be?
CE: I have to refrain from saying anything (Huge smile on his face) because I’m still under contract with Aprilia till the end of the year, I’ve said a few things that were probably not appropriate after I did ride it. Whatever you’ve read, is said, but at the moment - no comment
2Dub: Any predictions for your performance in 04'?
CE: To win the championship. It’s the only reason I’m here. I’m looking forward to riding the Honda and winning races. I know who I’m up against, I got a good look at them this year and there’s absolutely no reason why I shouldn’t win the championship.
2Dub: What’s your take on Valentino Rossi going to Yamaha?
CE: I completely understand why he did it... he had to do it. There’s a war going on, a struggle of sorts, Honda obviously know that they build the best bikes, Valentino believes deep down that he is the best rider in the world, at the moment anyway, in order for Valentino to prove that he needs to get away from Honda and Honda of course, want to prove that they can win with anybody. So you have heads butting, one thinks they are the best, the other thinks the same, so they have to separate, that’s my opinion. This is something that Mick (Doohan) never had the balls to do. Mick was winning championships and using Yamaha as leverage for his salary, but he never quite had the balls to make the jump. Yamaha hasn’t shown anything exceptional this year as far as results or anything, so Vales a brave man.
2Dub: Have you learnt all the tools that you’ll need in the MotoGP class last year, have you felt held back in any way?
CE: You’re always learning... I had someone ask me in Spain, knowing I was going to test the Honda, how long it would take me to get up to speed on the RC211V. He was expecting a transitional period of a week, a month, whatever, I said “Three Hours,” he looked shocked, but I know Honda, I’ve ridden that bike in its first evolution and I know what character the Honda has, there’s no surprises. Held back? No, it’s made me ride harder and explore my limits. What the public doesn’t understand, is when you’re winning it’s easy, everything works, the bike does all that you want it to do. It's when your not winning, especially when your finishing six or eighth, that’s when you’re working harder. This year there will be eight, nine or so world champions on the grid, that’s a lot of people who are accustomed to winning. With everyone thinking they’re the best, there’s going to be hell to pay.
2Dub: What’s next?
CE: Home for a few weeks then testing at Valencia.
2Dub: Where’s home for you whilst competing in Europe?
CE: Next year we’re buying a place in Italy. Previously we’ve had a 42ft bus, which I drove. I’ve driven myself around pretty much since 96'. Next year we have a driver though because last years driving was just too much, two days driving, two days testing two days driving, two days off... Flat out all the time.
2Dub: Do you mind this PR stuff?
CE: No, it’s always fun, like today. If I’m at home and I get a call to say I have to go here or there I always think, oh fuck, I’d like to sit at home with the wife and my 10-month year-old kid, but I always have a good time when I’m there.
2Dub: Thanks and good luck for 04'
CE: I’d just like to say that all of the World Superbike and MotoGP grid really love your website and visit it several times a day. By the way... whatever happened to the Cycle Doctor?
Mike Emery
