How do you keep your concentration levels high?
Mental preparation is everything, and this is the same for short circuit racing as well as endurance. I learnt mental relaxation techniques from China and have also had several teachers to help me focus. Latterly, I've also developed my own visualisation techniques, which keep me alert whenever I'm out on track.
How do you cope with the noise, both on and off-track?
Noise is not good for recuperation, so I always wear earplugs when riding. In the early days I didn't wear earplugs in GP or World Superbikes but in endurance I realized that it was very tiring riding without them for long periods in the saddle. I also use earplugs when I rest, but I also put headphones over them for extra protection. At a racetrack, it's not just the noise of the bikes that you can here; there's the general paddock noises too - generators, loudspeakers, other people.
In the rest periods, is it possible to sleep or is there just too much going on?
In endurance racing, you usually have one hour's riding followed by two hours of 'rest', but it's almost impossible to sleep. I usually need physiotherapy after each session because I'm tall and get a sore neck from racing at high speed for sustained periods. I always need a good massage to get me ready for the next session. You also need to speak with the team, eat, and get to the pit garage at least 20 minutes before you are due out again. However, I do usually reserve one rest period for sleeping, and I need this most at about four or five o'clock in the morning. I used to never sleep when I was a younger rider but it's so important to know what your body needs. I am stricter now and need sleep more!
What do you eat and drink for the best energy release?
It's important to drink a lot, as you can easily become dehydrated. The important thing is to eat little and often, as well as consuming the kind of food and drink that your body can absorb in a short time but that also gives a good energy release. Solid food like bananas, pasta or high protein foods like fish or chicken are good, and I usually drink water mixed with vitamins and minerals.
Do you think it's brave of BMW to develop the modified R 1200 S sports boxer in full view of the media?
It's the choice of BMW to do it this way, and it's a brave one. The company has showed over the past few years with the Boxer Cup and Power Cup - and this year in the World Endurance Championship - that it has the spirit to go racing. BMW wants to be there and feels that the R 1200 S is the best bike to expose the possibilities. Their belief in this model has been successfully proved and its capabilities have surprised many fans and other riders.
Does the Boxer have any advantages over the four-cylinder bikes?
All of the top teams and WEC regulars are naturally very fast but the BMW Motorrad Motorsport team has done extremely well in its pit-stop routines. After just a few races, BMW is as fast as many of the top teams, but because its need to refuel is less frequent than most of the others [due to the better fuel economy of the Boxer engine] this can result in about six pit-stops less by the end of a 24-hour race. There are no speed or power advantages compared with the four-cylinder bikes but other riders have been surprised at the R 1200 S's capability in braking as well as its speed through the corners, where you can really take advantage of its strong and smooth torque. The technical track conditions suited the BMW at Oschersleben but this won't be the case at Magny-Cours.
What's the Magny Cours circuit like?
It's a nice track and the BMWs could do ok, but it's a quick track with a long and fast straight, so it will be more difficult for the BMW with a slight high-speed deficit. In addition, there will be a lot of French teams there as well as all the championship regulars. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport team performance and strategy have improved since the first race of the year at Le Mans and a top 15 finish would be a great result at the Bol d'Or - as well as a victory in the Open class. Personally though, I like fast tracks, such as Spa-Francochamps, Assen and Mugello.
Did you enjoy racing with Nate Kern and Brian Parriott at Daytona last year?
Yes, it was great to win this inaugural Moto-ST race on the R 1200 S last October. This was an eight-hour race and a real test for the new R 1200 S, which was pretty much standard. The new bike is such a good evolution of the R 1100 S - especially the engine with an extra 20 horsepower on tap!
What are your plans for when you're fit again?
Since my injury earlier this year, my goal was always to be back on the bike for the Bol d'Or. Mentally I'm ready to race again but my body just isn't up to it yet, so it's better not to take any risks. I would be out there if I could, believe me.