Do you have any idea when you might want to step away, or do you think your body will tell you when it’s time?

MM: I imagine so. The old body doesn’t take what it used to take, there’s no doubt about that. I find out about that with my daily training regime and when I wake up after pounding the pavement for a couple of hours or doing whatever part of training I do on that particular day, and the brain is saying get out of bed, but the body doesn’t want to react. It doesn’t work the way it used to 15 years ago, but I’m in the best condition I’ve ever been in and looking after myself and doing the right things and the right type of training. I think it will allow me to race for a number of years yet. There’s not doubt that kids with the type of speed that Ben Spies has will shorten my career, that’s for sure.

What impressions can you give us about your chats with the new DMG group, which recently purchased the AMA? Do you have any thoughts on that?

MM: I really don’t. I’ve really made no comments about it. Do I like what I see when it comes to their class structure and the way they want to completely change everything as far as the type of bikes they’ll be racing? No, I don’t really like what I see there. I’m contracted with Suzuki and Suzuki will keep me up to date with what’s going on. Whatever Suzuki wants to do, then I’m contracted with those guys through the end of 2009, and we will put our best foot forward with whatever Suzuki wants to do and try and win whatever we’re doing.