These were some quotes from Nicky at the end of last season. A little meaningful considering the way this season went.
Q Some are suggesting that this might be Rossi's last year in MotoGP, which means 2006 may be the last time somebody'll have a chance to beat him heads up on a MotoGP bike. How often do you think about that, or about beating Rossi?
A It would be nice, before he leaves, for somebody to really beat him. Yeah. I know, right now, he's definitely got a step on everybody as far as week in and week out. With only one more year, I'm going to have to make a big improvement, fast, and do a lot if I want to beat him. The idea of beating him before he went off would be just awesome. People say he's the best of our time and all that, so definitely ... I don't like him having the championship sewed up five races early. That ain't cool at all. Hopefully next year it's not so easy on him.
Q Do you ever sit and mull what that guy's strength is, and where, really, it's based?
A You definitely see a guy winning those races, you've got to try to watch him and see what he does, what he's doing. He's just the package. It doesn't rain or shine, it doesn't matter the track, it's an attitude - he brings his A game every week. He doesn't have off weekends. And if he does, it's third or something. Over a season, 17 races, that's what makes him so strong. He just finds a way to win a lot of those races. Hats off to him.
Q Some are suggesting that this might be Rossi's last year in MotoGP, which means 2006 may be the last time somebody'll have a chance to beat him heads up on a MotoGP bike. How often do you think about that, or about beating Rossi?
A It would be nice, before he leaves, for somebody to really beat him. Yeah. I know, right now, he's definitely got a step on everybody as far as week in and week out. With only one more year, I'm going to have to make a big improvement, fast, and do a lot if I want to beat him. The idea of beating him before he went off would be just awesome. People say he's the best of our time and all that, so definitely ... I don't like him having the championship sewed up five races early. That ain't cool at all. Hopefully next year it's not so easy on him.
Q Do you ever sit and mull what that guy's strength is, and where, really, it's based?
A You definitely see a guy winning those races, you've got to try to watch him and see what he does, what he's doing. He's just the package. It doesn't rain or shine, it doesn't matter the track, it's an attitude - he brings his A game every week. He doesn't have off weekends. And if he does, it's third or something. Over a season, 17 races, that's what makes him so strong. He just finds a way to win a lot of those races. Hats off to him.
