How are you finding the season so far?

Bit of a sluggish start to be honest but we’re consistently scoring good points – I think my worst result has been sixth – and the double win at the last weekend was great for us, great for the team morale and I would hope to keep that momentum going so we’ll see what happens.

How does it feel when you go over the line twice in first place?

Oh it’s great. That feeling. It doesn’t last very long to be honest. Lasts maybe just the slowing down lap and by the end of that lap I was thinking about Monza, but for me it was really really nice to see my team. They were so overjoyed – it was a really nice present for them, especially on home soil in Holland. Yeah, it was good.

In your whole career, what would you say was your best win, and why? I guess that second race in Assen, maybe. Also my first WSS race win meant a lot – it was great for me just to win a world championship race. But for sure both races in Assen – doing the double and clocking that up with the fastest lap in both races and pole position made a pretty perfect weekend, and hopefully we can tie a few more of them on.

What are your predictions for the rest of the season? Who should we look out for and who’s the biggest threat to you?

I guess Max Biaggi, Leon Haslam, they’re the real big hitters y’know, but there’ll be more at every race with all the different wild cards. I hope to be among the guys doing it every weekend. But it’s a long year and we’re not thinking about the championship right now, though obviously it is important.

What’s it like having so many Brits in the paddock this year after there being so few last year?

That’s pretty good you know. Just the fact that it’s turned into a friendly paddock for me because you can just walk down and see so many friendly faces. Not just the riders; the Paul Bird team is all English, the Parkalgar team is British. It’s nice to have friendly faces around. I mean just last week me and Cal were stuck in the Isle of Man and couldn’t get a flight so we ended up having to get the boat together and hiring a car so it really helped having someone in the same position.

Is there anybody you particularly don’t get on with?

I don’t not get on with anybody, though (laughing) there’s a few riders I’d like to fall out with to create a bit of fuss.  I’m pretty easy going, me, and just like doing my own thing and not getting in anyone’s face. Some people see that as being arrogant  but at the end of the day I’m here to do my job and to have fun with my team. (Ed: We’ve seen arrogant.  He’s NOT arrogant in the least) It gets hard sometimes. This is my life, 24/7. I have to live, eat and breathe motorbikes and when you’re away from your close friends at home you have to make friends in the paddock. But y’know it can be difficult, especially here for example when you’re trying to get in your garage and there are masses of people outside waiting for you. Sometimes you just have to say no. It’s nice when you’re all relaxed and you can go and sign a hundred autographs and spend time with people but some people catch you at the right moment and some people don’t. So I’d like to spend time with them but I’ve got my job to do as well.

How do you find it walking down the street and people greeting you by name?

To be really honest, I do get recognised outside bikes. I wouldn’t say a lot, but it’s really nice. But here, especially in Italy, there are so many people into bikes and they’re so passionate about racing so everyone wants a piece of me and that’s hard sometimes (Ed: At this point someone stopped, came over and interrupted the interview – very nicely – to shake Johnny’s hand.  Great example of what he meant) But I guess it’s fun. I mean while I was growing up it was my dream to be a motorbike racer and I guess this is part and parcel of it.

How did it feel the first time someone asked you for your autograph?

I think it was actually when I was motocrossing at a supercross some time in London Docklands Arena. Yeah, it was kind of cool but I didn’t even know what my signature was at that stage so I just had to make up a squiggle because I thought squiggles were cool. Then for my first couple of years I would sign my name until my crew chief at Honda UK told me that I’d have to get a quicker signature than that. So now it’s turned into a squiggle again. I can’t even remember what it is ad it’s never the same twice.

Why number 65?

Cos I always used to race motocross at 5 or 6 and when I started short circuit racing it seemed a bit cocky to take a low number. 56 was already taken so 65 it was.

You’re not a drinker, we hear.

Not really, no. I mean I went to Australia at the end of last year with a load of Irish riders and that was my time off when I had a few beers but during the season it doesn’t really interest me to be honest. It’s not that I don’t drink ever, I just can’t do hangovers. 5 days later I’m still feeling the effects of a couple of pints of beer, y’know – that nasty taste in your mouth and so on – so me and alcohol don’t really go… But I do like  a pint of Magners Irish Cider and I’m proud of that because we all knew what Magners was well before the English (laughing) and it was cool way before it was cool in England.

Anything else unusual?

I’ve got a dog called Brno – a chocolate Labrador – after my first World Supersport win. I’ve got a picture of him here. He’s like my baby, I feel like a proud dad. (He produces a picture of a very nice looking dog on his phone).

Do you still live in Ulster?

No, I’ve moved to the Isle of man. Got an apartment in Castletown. (Smiles) Sleepytown.

Ever tempted to do the TT?

No, no.

Johnny, thank you very much.