Yamaha hosts World MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo at BIC

Three time World MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo spent the better part of the day at the Buddh International Circuit on the invitation of Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd.

And after riding a few laps around circuit on a Yamaha YZF-R3, Lorenzo was all praise for the track and expressed his desire to see MotoGP come to India.

“I can only hope and wish that one day MotoGP comes to India. It is such a big country with a lot of people. I saw several people riding bikes on the streets. I am sure they would be interested in seeing the best bikers of the world racing in front of them,” Lorenzo said.

The visit is described as India Yamaha’s continued efforts to promote motorsports in India. Lorenzo was welcomed by Indian biking and motorsport lovers as he rode Yamaha’s flagship motorcycle, the Yamaha YZF-R3 on a wet track at the Buddh International Circuit.

"I went on the limit, as fast as possible but had to slow down because it had rained so the track was wet. The bike (Yamaha R3) was obviously not as fast (as a MotoGP bike)," said the 28-year-old Spaniard.

"It is an amazing young track. It has very different corners, the back straight is more than one km long so it can really test riders. It is a technical circuit and fun to ride on. Overall, a very good circuit."

The MotoGP Champion’s visit to India was primarily aimed at cheering up motorsports enthusiasts in India, to build a more sustainable motorsports fan community. As part of his visit to the Buddh International Circuit, Lorenzo also met 30 lucky R3 owners, who got an opportunity to share the same track with the champion racer as he participated in a riding session around the BIC with them.

In an interaction with members of the media, the 2015 World MotoGP session responded to questions about his experience at the BIC, riding the R3 and the controversy over teammate and rival Valentino Rossi’s statements at the Sepang race. To a question whether his relationship with Rossi will remain the same in the next season, Lorenzo said, “It’s up to Valentino to improve the relationship in the 2016 season.”

Twenty-eight-year old Jorge Lorenzo joined the MotoGP Yamaha Factory Racing Team in 2008 as double 250cc World Champion, having won the title for the previous two years. Following his outstanding debut year, Lorenzo came of age in 2009, winning four races and pushing his team-mate Valentino Rossi to the limit throughout a superb season.

The 2010 season saw Lorenzo build on his 2009 successes, fighting at the front to dominate the season and take the World Championship title. In 2012, Lorenzo became the first Spanish rider to win multiple premier class titles, and as of 2015, is the only Spanish rider with the most wins in MotoGP.