VALENTINO ROSSI
– How has been the resting time after de hard season?
There really has been very little resting time since the end of the season. As soon as we finished in Valencia I had quite a lot of preparation for the RAC rally in the UK and then the rally itself in Wales. Last week I was in Bologna for a Honda new model bike launch at the motor show and this week we have been at Jerez testing so there has been not much time for any relaxation!
– Are you keeping the physically work (gym) during this days after the season?
I don´t spend a lot of time in the gym. I prefer to keep fit riding my dirt bike which I love.
– When are you going to start the hard work at the gym and physicallypreparation for the next 2003 season?
I need a break over the Christmas period and will start riding again in the tests at Sepang during the third week of January.
– What are you going to do during the Christmas holidays?
I´ll be with my family and friends just like most people at Christmas having a big relax!
– What are you wishing, in general, for the next year 2003?
I am looking forward to the season. For sure there is big competition with more Hondas on the grid and with the other manufacturers with the best riders in the world all in the same race. 2003 MotoGP will be a great show!
NICKY HAYDEN
– How has been the resting time after the hard season?
After the season I really didn´t have much time off. I keep racing in AMA Grand National flat-track races….and won 5 nationals so that was really fun….and when that was done I spent a few weeks at home just playing a little, we built XR 50 track ….me and my brothers play on this little bikes and some of our frds have them and we just do it for fun…
– Are you keeping the physically work (gym) during this days after the season?
After the season I never really stopped training, just slowed down a little, but I enjoy training so I keep at it; just not as hard….
– When are you going to start the hard work at the gym and physicallypreparation for the next 2003 season?
For next year I know I will have to train harder than ever ….so I will spend some time riding dirt bikes and bicycle….also going to the gym.
– What are you going to do during the Christmas holidays?
I am back home for Christmas which is good. I don´t know if Santa would have found me if I was overseas. I love Christmas so it will be good to spend some time with friends and family.
– What are you wishing, in general, for the next year 2003?
Can´t wait for next year….I just hope I get comfortable on the bike , team and the life….and just be able to have fun and do my thing…..Merry Christmas to all!
FONSI NIETO
– How has been the resting time after the hard season?
Good, resting and relaxing, spending these weeks at home with my family and friends. I have obviously also used the time to meet all kinds of commitments, things you cant do during the season. Almost no travelling and that is something you appreciate after such a year.
– Are you keeping the physically work (gym) during this days after the season?
Yes, I have started again. After the last race and until the first days of December we stopped in order to rest completely. It is something already planned, I do it every year. Now Im working out again, but slowly, to get back the shape. These days and during Christmas holidays Ill do a minimum and on January 2nd well start strong again.
– When are you going to start the hard work at the gym and physicallypreparation for the next 2003 season?
At the end of January, for sure, although the team hasnt set a specific date yet. The truth is that Im really looking forward to getting back to activity, because last week in Valencia we only had a short contact with the new bike. Those were mainly public relations days, even my uncle Angel took my bike to do a couple of laps. Furthermore, Aprilia has assigned me a new technician and we understand each other very good. Once we start to work, we wont stop until October.
– What are you going to do during the Christmas holidays?
As every year, with my family. We always spend Christmas Eve at my parents home and then I go to Ibiza to spend New Years eve with some friends and my uncle. Those will be wonderful relaxing days before going back to activity.
– What are you wishing, in general, for the next year 2003?
I have already got the best present, and that is my new technical responsible Gionvanni Sandi. I hope that he will be able to help me with those thousands of a second I need to win the Championship.
TONI ELÍAS
– How has been the resting time after the hard season?
Very good. It is something you need in order to stand the pressure during the whole season, which is very tiring and saturating. It is also necessary because Ive had the chance to be at home and meet some commitments I cannot attend to during the year. Ive actually had only two weeks of total resting.
– Are you keeping the physically work (gym) during this days after the season?
Yes but in a different way than usual. After the end of the season we slowed down and weve started again a couple of weeks ago, but not too hard, doing things that are not usually part of the training such as mountain bike riding or jogging. In January, after the Christmas holidays well start again working harder.
– When are you going to start the hard work at the gym and physicallypreparation for the next 2003 season?
In January. A couple of days ago, in Valencia, we were able to test next years bike. It was interesting, because it allowed us to get back a little of the usual practise rhythm. Stopping for some weeks is good, but Im really looking forward to getting back on the bike and start working.
– What are you going to do during the Christmas holidays?
At home, in Manresa with my family and friends. Ill also take the chance to spend New Years Eve with my friends. Ive travelled a lot this year and it has been a season with a lot of commitments, therefore you really long for a couple of days at home.
– What are you wishing, in general, for the next year 2003?
I dont know yet, thats a good question. Straight away I would ask for luck at the GPs and if I get something else, so much the better.
