After crossing the finishing line in Japan last weekend I came across Valentino Rossi just sitting at his bike, taking in the applause of the crowd while the rest of the MotoGP pack went past him on the parade lap. I pulled up beside him and asked him a simple question: "Did you win?"
He gave me a look that was one of elation, satisfaction and relief - I knew then that this most incredible of riders had won the race and, in doing so, his fifth MotoGP world title and eighth overall.
I wanted to congratulate him properly but it's difficult to have a decent conversation when you've both got helmets on. Instead there was a handshake and a pat on the back - his achievement is phenomenal and I've got a hell of a lot of admiration for the guy.
His success actually benefits me in a way as we both ride for Yamaha, and any time they do well and reaffirm their support for MotoGP is not going to be a bad thing for me. Our Yamaha link also means I've had the chance to spend more time with Valentino than most riders on the grid, and it's been a pleasure to watch him close up over the course of this season.
The look he gave me in Motegi brought back a lot of memories, I have to say. It's difficult to describe, but it was the look of a winner - the look of a man who has achieved exactly what he set out to do and conquered the goals he set for himself. Essentially, it was a look I wore myself for the majority of last season as I concluded my time in World Superbikes by winning the title.
It's a look I haven't been able to flaunt much this season, but in truth I didn't really expect to as I knew that a single victory would be a massive bonus. Seeing Valentino in that post-race moment made me realise how much I miss standing on the podium and also made me appreciate that I still have some way to climb on this ladder before I can get there. That one moment is a spur for me, though. I know Valentino's skills are extraordinary, but I would like to think I have a few things in my locker as well. To consistently motivate yourself as he has is incredible, but it's a burning desire that all of us at the top of the sport possess.
It's been clear throughout the season that Valentino has had the edge on the other riders. It's never discussed among us, though. You are always looking to get one over on the man next to you, so you aren't going to discuss with one of the other riders how this guy is so much better than the rest - it would never happen.
Not that Valentino is going to have long to revel in the glory. We've all flown on to Phillip Island in Australia, where the 16th round of the season takes place this weekend. It's a track that I know well and absolutely love, so I'm looking forward to this race enormously.
I've had some fantastic battles here in the past, none more memorable than my fight with Troy Bayliss last season. He won the first race on that day and I won the second (Superbikes have two races to MotoGP's one, if you were wondering) in what was the definition of a ding-dong affair. It's racing like that I love, and there's no better track to do it on than here in Phillip Island.
Every rider loves this place and it's easy to see why - the track is old-fashioned and very quick, while it is undulating in places, which adds to the thrill. We're also right by the beach and it therefore has a holiday feel to it, although as we've seemingly caught the back end of the Australian winter I don't think we'll be enjoying that too much in the next few days.
I've been relaxing since I got here, but it's been in Sydney, rather than at the track, that I've chosen to unwind. I'm considering an investment opportunity with an Australian based company, so I've been checking that out - and have had a bit of fun in the process!
I do try to invest a fair bit of my money. It's fairly obvious that in my chosen career you are a long time retired and you need to have something behind you. I'm lucky as I've got really good management behind me and that's important as it helps you to relax away from the job. Mind you, I don't think I'm doing quite as well as a certain Mr
Rossi ...
He deserves every penny he gets, though, and he can just point his team and his sponsors towards his world title haul. He's proving what a phenomenal talent he is, and if you can't be inspired by his achievements then what can you be inspired by? Let's hope it's my turn on Sunday.
