On vacation?
 
Once the competition season is finished, you’re more relaxed, and that’s why I have no problem saying yes to enjoying a day at the rallies.
 
How does Fernando Alonso’s signing with Ferrari seem to you?
 
I’m really happy for him. We maintain a good relationship and I know that he wanted to change, and to do it with a team like Ferrari is a tremendous success. I hope that he’ll get the stability here that he needs and that they’ll give him a competitive car so that he can show his talent.
 
What does Ferrari mean to a car fan like you?
 
It’s the benchmark of Formula 1. When you think of F1, you quickly associate it with the image of Ferrari.

Does he have to be the best one on the team?
 
At least he has to try. Having the best man on the best team is a perfect combination for getting results and it’s possible to extrapolate that into all sports.

What do you think about Fernando having already been world champion three times?
 
Now, probably, it’ll be a little easier for him, but the fact of having signed with Scuderia Ferrari is not synonymous with winning since the competition is considerable, in terms of cars and drivers. He’ll have to work hard, fight for the top, but we hope that he has what he needs to get the championship again.

Do you have some frame of reference for Formula 1?
 
I remember Ayrton Senna, but I started to follow F1 with De la Rosa and I’ve gotten hooked because of Alonso, who’s been the one that has awaked a great interest and following all over Spain.
 
And curiously, Fernando is crazy about cycling.
 
He’s a great fan, of course, and whenever he can, he gets on a bike and trains, and it’s a very good for maintaining his form and taking care of himself, because being a driver also requires excellent physical condition.

What advice do you exchange?
 
More than advice, when we ask each other questions, we’re curious about the practice of one sport versus the other, like for example, aerodynamics, or the lightness or pressure of the tires. In the end, what each of us does is be interested in the sport that he doesn’t participate in.
 
What would you extrapolate from F1 to cycling?
 
We could “copy” a lot of things. The first would be aerodynamics—where F1 is more experienced—and maybe we could also learn something about friction.

And vice versa?
 
The topic of aerodynamics is seen to very well in the car but not in the driver, maybe because he’s built into the cockpit and it’s not possible improve anything in that area.

Would you like to drive an F1 single-seater?
 
I’d love it, although I don’t know if I’d be capable. I really like cars, karts…it would be a truly unforgettable experience.

Aside from friendship, might there be a professional relationship between you and Alonso in the future?
 
It’s a possibility that exists. He’s a cycling fanatic, we’ve got a good relationship and we will see what happens in the future, but he showed enough interest and intentions to move forward with a joint a project.  It would be interesting because getting together with F1 would give cycling another dimension.
 
Fernando commented that for 2010 he thinks it’s complicated because of your contractual situation with Astana, but that in 2011 it could all happen, that you deserved a team that could measure up…
 
It can all happen, certainly. The question is either that, or having to fulfill the year that’s left on my contract with Astana, or if I have to sign a contract of longer duration with another team. So we’ll see if it’s viable, but it is a door that’s open.
 
Coming up on October 14 is the presentation of the Tour, a race for which you’ll have the highest level of incentive in your duel with Lance Armstrong…
 
It’s makes sense that it’ll be like that, since in addition we’ll be in two different teams and it’ll help that the race will spark more interest.
 
Is your duel with the American, who’s 38, an uneven match?
 
There are a lot of circumstances in races, even more with different teams and a range of tactics. If that’s true, then under normal circumstances I would have to be even better next year and I’m going to get ready for it, but I’m sure that he’ll prepare, too, in the best way possible. What I must not do is forget about him or lose respect for him, and prepare mysef as well as I can.
 
Who will your principal opponents be, aside from Armstrong?
 
This year, the guy I saw at the Tour who was a little above the others is Andy Schleck, who, together with his equally great team, will be my most direct rival, and at his age he’ll progress even more, but you can’t forget Lance, Evans, or my teammate Leipheimer.
 
Are your vacations tense because of uncertainties about your future?
 
Nope. I’ve got people at my side who are well-prepared and I’m quite calm. Furthermore, if things change in a little while, I’ve got a lot of options for the future.