This is continued from yesterday, and is the second of three installments.

Q. Do you think that this situation will affect you in any way at the final WSC round at Imola?

A. Shit no. If anything this whole thing has made me more motivated to win that ever. It's made me want to win more just so I can take that trophy away from Honda and bring the number one plate with me. (laughs) Do I sound bitter?

Listen, I'm going out there to race for myself and the Castrol team. This whole situation has nothing to do with the team. The Castrol team is awesome. They're a great bunch of guys. It's just the behind the scenes bullshit that we could do without.

Q. What does next year hold for you?

A. I don't know what I can say on the record. Everybody knows anyway, but I can't really talk about it. I'm looking forward to next year and a new challenge. The red bikes are offering it, so ...

There's been no official announcement and nobody has come out and said what they're doing for next year. I don't know what they're waiting on or sitting on.

I think it's just that it's us against them in the final round and they don't want any other rumors flying around.

I think when that's all said and done then they'll make an announcement.

Q. What do you think about Ben Bostrom coming back to race American Superbike?

A. I'm pissed off about it. I don't know if Ben has had a bad year or what has happened but I have no doubt in his abilities.

The guy can be so tough. When he's on-he's on, he's almost untouchable. He's fast as hell, and it's just that for this year it hasn't seemed to have jelled. So, yeah, I'm a bit upset that he won't be around any more.

Like I said in that e-mail I sent to you yesterday—it's just so ironic that it's Honda that started all this in World Superbike and now they're the ones to employ Ben. Quite funny. Not funny laughing, but funny ... ironic.