It is the last Friday of the MotoGP season and it is a little like the end of term in the paddock. Everyone has that carefree approach to the weekend.
Even world champion Jorge Lorenzo seemed to l
ack drive and enthusiasm at the pre-event news conference, insisting it was "not an obsession to try to get the win" here, although Nicky Hayden was as relaxed and jovial as always. The American joked with the media as he looked forward to joining forces again with Valentino Rossi.
While the season may be winding down, I seem to be busier than ever. We got to Valencia on Wednesday night so that we were ready and prepared for an interview with Rossi, the nine-time world champion, on Thursday.
I have met world champions before and I have interviewed some of the most powerful and successful sportsmen and women in the world but this was my first proper sit-down chat with a man that I have respected and followed for years.
