BY ZAIHAN MOHD YUSOF

IF YOU build it, they will come.

That's the sentiment expressed by three-time world motorcycle grand prix champion Loris Capirossi when asked about Singapore's future circuit in Changi.

The Italian MotoGP rider was in Singapore on Monday for an autograph-signing session at the G-Max Race showroom in Desker Road.

In an exclusive interview, Capirossi told The New Paper that a Singapore MotoGP leg would definitely spice things up for MotoGP riders.

Said Capirossi, 36, from team Rizla Suzuki: 'For me, it's great. It (the Changi circuit) may have the same weather conditions as the Sepang circuit (in Malaysia), but it's still beautiful to discover new race tracks.'

New talent

A new circuit keeps riders sharp by forcing them to adapt quickly to new challenges, he said. It would also be important for discovering new talent. Said Capirossi, affectionately known as Capirex: 'There's been talk to build a racing school in Asia - in Malaysia or Singapore to understand if we have good talent or not.

'I think around the world, we have many 'Capirossis', but nobody knows (about them). Who knows? Singapore may have a champion in MotoGP one day.'

Unfortunately, Capirossi may retire by the time the Changi circuit is ready by late 2011.

'The next season will be 21 seasons of GP (grand prix racing) for me,' he said.

'At the end of this year, I would have done 299 starts. That's a lot. 'I don't know about the 2011 MotoGP season - I have not decided yet.'

Unlike Carlos Checa or Max Biaggi, both former MotoGP riders, Capirossi will not go the Superbike World route.

He plans to work part-time for Suzuki for promotions, but 'I don't want to come for every race'.

In MotoGP, Capirossi remains the most experienced rider. In his debut in 1990, he won the 125cc championship title on a Honda. He was then 17.

The following year, he won the title again. In 1998, Capirossi was crowned the 250cc champion. In total, he rode for five motorcycle manufacturers. He would like to top his current score of 99 podiums before he retires.

Next year, Capirossi will team up with Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista, who has moved up the 250cc class.

He said: 'It's a big motivation for me to have a younger rider as a team mate.

'It makes me want to try harder to improve our (Rizla Suzuki's) potential. Also, (with a strong team) Suzuki might give us a more competitive bike.'

Yet, riding a MotoGP bike is different from riding a 1,000cc production sportbike.

For one, Capirossi's V4, 800cc prototype GSV-R race bike is lighter, more powerful and uses a host of electronics. It produces 222hp and achieves speeds in excess of 330kmh.

Capirossi said: 'It's easy to ride a Suzuki GSX-R (1000). It's not powerful for me.

'On a MotoGP bike, the acceleration is quite strong and aggressive, but with electronics, we can control everything... Whatever advantages we discover in MotoGP bikes will normally go into production bikes.'

Away from racing, Capirossi's family remains close to his heart.

Since 1990, his father has been accompanying him to all his races while Capirossi's wife, Ingrid, attends at least 60 per cent of the races.

Ingrid spends the remainder of her time at home in Monte Carlo looking after their baby son.

Capirossi enjoys playing with his son Riccardo daily because having a child 'is the best thing anyone could ask for'.

There are some things that fans may not know about Capirossi, like how he is from a 'normal family who does not have a lot of money'.

In his early years of racing, Capirossi worked at an electronic parts factory to get money to race.

Capirossi said: 'The problem with this sport is that it's quite expensive. I had to work 10 hours each day to make money... My family made a lot of sacrifices for me to become a rider.

'When watching (MotoGP riders) on TV, people think everything is easy, but it's not true.'

Capirossi is also an avid engine-tuner. While at his home workshop, he and his brother tune Capirossi's 12 cars. Together, the brothers have proudly rebuilt a 1934 American car into a 6-litre, 650hp, twin-turbo, hot rod.

He added: 'I love to tune my bikes and cars. I like getting my hands dirty while working on them.'

Tomorrow, MotoGP riders will once again do battle at Sepang circuit in round 16 of the championship. Presently, Capirossi stands at ninth spot on the championship ladder.

If points leader Valentino Rossi finishes the race in fourth position, it would be enough for him to be crowned 2009 World Champion.

This article was first published in The New Paper.