How does winning the ascent of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2014 have for a rider as famous as you, who simply won everything in Endurance, except Daytona?

It is an immense pleasure, because this race represents a challenge that we set ourselves three years ago. It was tough, because every year we weren't far from winning, but we never managed to win. This year, we have changed a lot of things, the engine, the tyres, the tyre size, the wheelbase, a lot of things. We have improved the car, working a lot. The efforts made have paid off. We had a reliable car here, which didn't have any problems. This is a very important aspect in racing with a format like this, with only one climb: if you stop for a breakdown it's over. It was becoming important to succeed and for me it is a great satisfaction, because it is my team, they are my friends. We are not a big manufacturer, but a group of guys who have always worked hard. We had enormous pressure on our shoulders, because we were aware that victory was within our reach. For people who are not used to this kind of pressure and also for me, because I knew that to try to win you had to get up there first, they are very strong feelings.

What emotion did you feel exactly when you realized you had won?

Really huge. Just as intense as when I won the 24 Hours of Le Mans Karting in 2010. It is a shame that, due to the race configuration, the guys on the team could not be at the finish. These are really intense moments, in which you think about all the work done. Not just from you, but from the whole group. It ranges from the need to find suitable partners because without them it would not have been possible, to these guys who damn themselves all year round. It is really super.