Today, the radial caliper equips production series bikes as well, but at the time it was a revolutionary innovation. You took it in stride straight away because you knew (and you still know) that you could always count on us. We've stopped at nothing to make you happy. You've been aware of this since the 1998 Japan MotoGP. And it's no coincidence that as early as your third 250cc race, you took your place on the podium. Since then, you've never stopped using radial calipers.
Likewise, in 2017 we were by your side helping you get back on the track just 23 days after you fractured your tibia and fibula. Our thumb master cylinder enabled us to take care of your right leg, just like we did for Mick Doohan back in the day.
Of course, there have been misunderstandings at times, like in 2004 when you overtook Sete Gibernau in a breakaway that went beyond the limits. You said: “I had to brake with my hands, my feet and my ears,” with nary a thought for us. But we didn't get heated and we forgave you.
Then there was the time you won the 2004 South Africa MotoGP, your first race with Yamaha, and you fell to your knees in front of the bike. For a second we thought you were going to give us a kiss, but instead you planted your lips on the M1 windshield. Once we got over our initial jealous bout, we knew it was how it needed to be.