You have been able to test both Bridgestone dry and wet tyres how did you like the feel and grip of them?

" I was very surprised with the grip of the Bridgestone tyres especially in the front and how much lean angle I can carry using them. They are also a great company to work with."

When you tested at Valencia you and another rider had 17 on their bikes. What number will you race with in 2006 and why?

" I will use number 71 next year. I like to have a number 7 in my racing number because of Barry Sheene who was a great help at the beginning of my career. My choice would be to use 77 first or 17, numbers that I have used in the past, but other riders are using these. Hopefully we can get number 71 up to the front of the field."

The fitness required to ride a MotoGP bike is a very high standard. What training programme have you got planned through the winter?

"The winter (summer in Australia) is the period where I train the hardest of all the season to get myself to a fitness level that I can maintain during the year. I do a lot of running, mountain biking, motocross and some gym work, I am also very active with surfing and working on my farm and this keeps me pretty fit."

You will only get one season on the current 990cc MotoGP machine before the limit changes to 800cc. What are your views on the new limit that is coming in for the 2007 season?

"To be totally honest I am not sure why they are changing the rules to 800cc so I am not for or against it. From my opinion it's just great to get at the early stages of the new bike with Suzuki and have a part in developing the bike."