Sete Gibernau Quotations

I've decided to retire from top class racing. It has been an incredible experience and has provided with me some unforgettable moments.

It's quite easy to start Trials riding. You just need a bike and you're set.

I'm proud of my triumphs. I've dreamed of being world champion, I've had some difficult times and they've made me value the good times.

In Malaysia where the front end pushes so much, extra engine braking is really going to help you.

So while I was studying, I rode my Trials bike, then I moved to roadracing.

I needed some stability, which is why I chose not to change from HRC for this season, which was an option that we had. Apart from being the best team in the world, I also needed some consistency.

The rider and the team need to understand one another and work in the same direction. Then the rider's happy, and only then will the rider be able to give 100%.

I've always like roadracing, but you know how it is in a family when you're young. They thought it was a little too dangerous so I started with Trials riding.

I love this sport and I don't want to get involved in politics.

I've enjoyed winning races in both 500cc and MotoGP and enjoyed leading the world championship and contesting it right up until the end.

What the other teams do is something that I can never control, so I just keep focussed on my direction.

With roadracing, it takes a lot more time and money.

I would obviously like to have been arriving in Valencia with the title still up for grabs, let's not kid ourselves, but even though Valentino has won, the season is not over for me.

If I had accepted the offers to continue just for the sake of carrying on then it wouldn't have made me happy especially if it was just for money. Now I've got other projects to concentrate on.

We've done all the work that HRC wanted on the twin and the project has been completed. We were consistently up there with the top guys and that is what HRC wanted to prove.

I think it's really important in the 500 class to have the same team and communication on a work basis, where you get into a good routine for working.

Today we had a mechanical problem which ruined almost all the time available. Just before it began to rain I went out on the second bike which was much better, but then the rain brought the test to a halt. We are here to test, and it's better that the problems emerge here rather than in the race!

Normally here in Brno the race is long and hard with many different places to pass and overtake. Many things here happen in the last lap, the last corner, we have to be ready for that.

It's a shame we haven't had more time to test the new bike - in the end I only managed four laps with it. That's why it seems a little early for me to comment on its performance, but it is clear that Honda are making a big effort.

It's going to be crucial to choose the right ones.

I'm having difficulty slowing down into corners. I would prefer to have these problems today because we still have time to improve.