This is a transcript of the Valentino Rossi teleconference interview arranged on Friday by Dorna, Laguna Seca Raceway and presumably Yamaha US.

Q Have you begun familiarizing yourself with the track layout at Laguna Seca yet?

A Yes, yes. I know Laguna only from TV. But now I make training with the PlayStation, and more or less I know the layout. But never been in Laguna before.

Q Valentino, we have the same birthday, proving that February 16 should be a national holiday.

A We are in Phillip Island for testing on the date of my birthday. So I am working, unfortunately.

Q In looking at your website, you mention several things about four-wheeled exploits. Is rallying in your future?

A I don't have an official website, unfortunately. What's on the Internet, I don't know. But anyway, I think the emphasis is on MotoGP, with the bike. And after, I decide if in the future I race with cars or not. I don't decide yet. But the cars are my great pleasure, after the bikes. So maybe. It's possible.

Q Valentino, from watching the videos of Laguna Seca, do you think that the race will be difficult? Do you think that the track will be difficult to learn, or no problem?

A I think the track is difficult, because it goes up and down a lot, and I think it's quite technical, and there are some very difficult points. The first left after the straight, and especially the Corkscrew. For sure the MotoGP will be interesting. It is very much downhill, so for sure is very technical and difficult. They improved the safety, because in the past it was not very safe, but they make all the world crazy for the Grand Prix.

Q Valentino, you might be tired of this subject, but I understand that you received a letter from Mr. Zerbi at the FIM about the incident at Jerez, and as I understand this letter, it basically said "you didn't do anything wrong, but don't do it again." What was your response to the letter?

A Yes, it was just a letter from the President, and basically I agree. He said everyone was trying very hard for the victory, He the overtake was not - it was hard, but not over the line. He did not say don't do it again. Because if I have the same in the finish in the last corner next race, I make the same.

Q On behalf of my daughter who lives in Monterey near the track, she wondered if you might like to come over for dinner after the race?

A How old is your daughter?

Q She's 25.

A Okay then. I would be delighted.

Q [question in Italian]

A I'm very happy to come in California. I'd been there five or six years ago, but only for one week. Everyone here expects a lot to come in California, because it is for sure a very good place. And a lot people say the fun of MotoGP become more and more in these last year, two or three years, because there are a lot of riders, and they now are starting to come more and more [inaudible]. So I expect a lot of fun for the race, and I am very happy to come in California, with the sun, the beautiful girls. It is a good place.

Q Valentino, you say you're very excited about racing in America. Are you more excited about coming to America than going to race in China or Turkey?

A I've never been in China and Turkey. I don't know. Anyway, we go in a lot of new facilities. The important thing in the track is the safety, and it's good, and the weather is good, for sure. But anyway, I think it's more exciting to come in Laguna Seca because it's a very good place. Speaking with Colin, he says it's a very good place to be. But also, for going to China, I think it is new to everybody. I'm waiting before I say something.

Q Last year, no one expected you to win the championship, so I imagine the pressure was very low. And you won the championship, and this year, everyone expects you to win again, and also it's Yamaha's anniversary. Do you feel the pressure is very high this year?

A Last year, for sure, I was not expected to win the championship, but after some races, the pressure is high, because we are in there to fight for the championship. For sure, for the Yamaha on the No. 1, the pressure is more, but it is a lot of time I have this pressure, and more or less is every year the same about the pressure. To find the tires that work well on the bike, and try to set up the bike find the good settings, it takes a little time, because we have had seventeen races, and it's quite hard work on the bike.

Q How important has Jeremy Burgess been to the success of your career?

A Jeremy Burgess is very important. Jeremy Burgess and the whole team of guys, I think is one of the best teams in the world, if not the best team in the world. He has great, great experience with a lot of different riders. He is very important for me, and I had the idea to bring him with me to Yamaha.

Q How much of a disadvantage will it be to have no previous racing experience at Laguna Seca, and how much will you rely on your teammate, Colin Edwards, for advice on how to approach the track?

A For sure, never to go in Laguna is a little bit of a disadvantage, because of some other riders have already seen the track. But it is a new track, so I think we are able to make some practice also on Thursday, to understand the track. A new track is always more difficult to set the bike up. But anyway, we'll see. About Colin, Colin is always very fast in Laguna, and for sure will have extra motivation for the home Grand Prix, and so we may fight together for the front.

Q Colin talked about you guys sharing information at the various tracks you go to. The knowledge he has about Laguna Seca, are you going to be drawing from him on that, or are you both pretty much going to go out, do your own setup, and then share information?

A We always try to work together with Colin to set up the bike, because the Yamaha is quite difficult to set, especially at the beginning, so two may be faster than one. Colin knows the track very well, and I think we stick together, and we go out together during the practice. Maybe at the beginning is better to go alone, and then we share information after some practice, and the setting of the bikes come better.


Q What kind of changes have you made to the bike this year in further developing it, compared to the bike as it was at Phillip Island, where you seemed to really have found a sweet spot with respect to the power delivery and the handling, and the performance of the Big Bang-structured motor?

A The bike is quite different from last year. Especially Yamaha worked a new engine, because the old engine was a very, very big development, and had some problems, so Yamaha worked a lot on the new engine, to add more power, and changed the power delivery. That is very important. Second, the chassis is also different compared to the older one, because sometimes the old one, we had some problems, especially with the rear part of the bike. With this new bike we still have some problem. At this point we don't understand 100% the perfect settings. We need time, but I think we find it good.

Q Have you found yourself having to take a little more time to get used to technical tracks, or do you acclimate to them as easily as you do on the non-technical tracks?

A Usually I like a lot the more technical and difficult tracks. I like them quite fast, but also the physical and technical, difficult ones, I'm happy. It's okay. The important thing, if the condition of the surface has good grip and not a lot of sand, the bikes are very, very fast. So I look for a good surface, and the layout of the track is not a problem.