World Champion Valentino Rossi and his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo both visited Tokyo this week ahead of the Polini Grand Prix of Japan, meeting enthusiastic Japanese crowds in the country’s colossal capital city.

On Tuesday Lorenzo was accompanied by his crew chief Ramon Forcada, Team Manager Daniele Romagnoli and additional Fiat Yamaha team members as he visited the Fiat Café in Tokyo city centre, where he hosted a press conference with Japanese media and participated in a photo session.

The gathering was also attended by Fiat management representatives, senior Yamaha management figures and the Italian Ambassador to Japan.

Speaking to motogp.com at the event, Lorenzo stated, “It has been good to come here and visit the Fiat Café, to speak to the Japanese press and see so many Japanese people who are fans of our sport. It’s important to help promote MotoGP around the world and this is a great place to do it.”

The exciting young Spanish rider was joined by his illustrious teammate Rossi on Wednesday evening at the Westin Hotel, also in Tokyo, as Yamaha launched a new Yamaha R1 street bike and hosted a dinner for 200 guests.

Returning to the country where he clinched the MotoGP title in 2008, Rossi commented, “There are great memories for me here in Japan because last year I got the championship back here and it was a huge victory after a fantastic race.

“Always when I come here to Japan it is hectic because I have a lot to do with Yamaha and that is very important. I will be busy right up to first practice on Friday and then we will start working on the bike.”