At the beginning of the year I was asked what it meant to me having a chance to work with the Repsol Honda team. It means all the work and sacrifices I have made over the years, even though I have been doing something I like, has been rewarded with a job at the best team in the world, surrounded by a mass of top class people. Each one of us different, with our ups and downs too, but we have all learnt and continue to learn a lot, both professionally as well as personally.
A mechanic`s relationship with a rider normally begins with mutual respect and from then on just respect, it may even turn into friendship. With Nicky there is mutual respect when work is being done afterwards he is just another member of the team. When he gets to a circuit he greets each mechanic one by one and then asks them all how the few days rest went. Moreover every day, in the morning and in the evening he thanks everybody for all the work they have done.We are also grateful because he always makes a big effort to get a good result. Often he gives us presents such as clothes or sunglasses from his sponsors and if he eats out with us he pays. He likes to have his people happy.
When we won the world title last year we all jumped with joy. I felt complete and relaxed, because I knew that I had helped to get something that is only within reach of a select few. In our case, as time passed, although we were still over the moon, the state of relaxation came to an end.But when you get home, your family and friends congratulate you and you have more time to think, you rediscover the state of ecstasis that you experienced just after winning the title. You feel proud to have shared that joy with your own. Although really I don`t know if I can describe what I feel with words.
