Question:
What is your first impression of the new bike?

Nicky Hayden:
I am quite impressed with it, this is the first time I have ridden it. It seems to be nearly ready, but obviously we still have a lot of work to do on it and to continue developing it, but it is a good start. If you ask me in a couple of weeks I will be able to tell you more.

Q:
How does it compare it to the 2007 bike?

NH:
It is very similar, there are no big differences. Perhaps the biggest is the use of pneumatic valves which are attracting all the attention. I like the rider position, the handlebars and the ride which are all very similar to the 2007. I also like the weight transfer; it is not so sudden and not as aggressive as on the previous bike.

Q:
The Repsol Honda Team announced a few days ago that it would keep its ties with Michelin are you satisfied with this decision?

NH:
Yes. They have a lot of work to do but that is because they can improve. They have not been at the level expected this year but I am dying to see the material that we are going to use next year. Bridgestone has been ahead of us the whole year and I hope that next season we are stronger. The level this year was not good enough.

Q:
Have you found something new in the tyre tests this time?

NH:
It may be, but the most important thing right now is to get used to the bike before thinking about testing new tyres.

Q:
How hard was it to lose the number one?

NH:
It was painful, something hard to swallow, above all because of how I lost it. I would have preferred to have been fighting and to have been stronger, but we were unlucky the whole season. It was a hard blow, I am not going to lie, it was frustrating for the team because we had hopes of doing really well. We can do things much better. What can I do? Just get over it and go out to win next year.

Q:
Are you ready to fight for the number one again?

NH:
Of course. This was a very tough year. I am not at all pleased. Next year I have to ride at a much higher level, hope to be stronger and to have much more fun.

Q:
What was the best moment in the 2007 season?

NH:
I would say the pole in Portugal. It was a good reward after what happened there the year before. And it was good for the team because I have confidence in them and they have confidence in me too. The podiums in Holland, Germany and Czech republic were also good moments.

Q:
And the worst?

NH:
Not finishing at home, in Laguna Seca, that was very hard. The truth is that there were many bad moments, this what top class racing is like. But I realised that you have to learn from both the bad as well as the good and I am dying to get back on the top.

Q:
No time to rest, the 2007 season just ended last Sunday and on Tuesday you were preparing for 2008. Is it too much?

NH:
No. It is not an easy job, but I know there are a lot worse around. Being a Honda factory rider in MotoGP is a privilege, and I am not going to cry about the work I have. We have travelled a lot in the last two months and in the next two, that is a bit of a drag, it is not all smiles. You are always moving from one place to another, but that goes with the pay cheque. I cannot say that it is too much.

Q: