Q. How has the off-season been for you, Anthony?

A. I've enjoyed it. I went back to Australia after the last round and was able to see my friends and family back there so that was great. I spent quite a bit of time there just training, riding my motocross bike and kicking back. I've been back here in the US for a few weeks now and will probably stay here for the duration - that's the informal plan anyway. That might change. I love America, so it's tough to leave.

Q. It looks like there will be some changes to your crew for 2002. What's happening there?

A. I'll be working with a couple of different guys-Tony Romo, who I worked with back when I rode for Muzzy Kawasaki. It's great to work with him because we know each other and more importantly he knows me. Knows what I like and what I need. I can trust him, you know? I can trust him to prepare my bike so it's safe, you know?

I feel so good and so positive about the whole Yamaha deal and the way the team will be structured now. I think it's really going to pay off for me and for Yamaha

Plus, this being the second year, it'll be a bit better because this year I was so overwhelmed to a degree in learning the R7, learning the R6, trying to test and things, and bigger than that to a degree, learning to ride a four cylinder again.

"I think next year in AMA Superbike it'll be the most competitive season ever. Mat Mladin is going to be tough to beat, the toughest really."

Q. It wasn't an instant flick back to a four after years on a Twin, was it?

A. No. I really had to work on my riding to get the most from the four-cylinder again. Riding a Twin kind of lets you get a bit lazy in your riding to a degree so I had to really work on what I had to do to get the R7 to work for me. It's hard work to race a four cylinder Superbike, no doubt about it. And, getting injured and all of that didn't help.

Q. The win on the R7 at Sears Point was epic though, first win for Yamaha in years and beating Honda. It must have felt good.

A. It did. I have not felt that good in a year or so to be honest. I was so tired afterwards that I thought I'd done something to myself, hurt myself, but I was just a bit dehydrated. It was all worth it. God, it was great.

Q. Tom Houseworth has left the Yamaha team after many years of being the crew chief for the blue team. A lot of people thought you two hit it off and worked well together. What do you think of him leaving the team?

A. No comment.