Ahead of lights out for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, Idemitsu Honda Team Asia rider Takaaki Nakagami took to some tour guiding around Tokyo, the incredible metropolis of Japanese culture and capital of his home nation. Setting off mid-morning on a sunny day ahead of the GP, the Japanese Moto2™ rider led Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 duo Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith through some Japanese classics.
First up, the four received lanterns with their names and rider numbers on in Japanese, painted in traditional, artisanal style. They then headed off on a stroll around the city, taking some pictures and buying some souvenirs – as well as raising some eyebrows as some of Tokyo’s residents recognized the foursome. After a look around the famous Tsukiji Tokyo Fish Market and with mementos bought, it was then time for some refreshment – omelettes!
Japanese omelettes are popular in their native country and the four riders got to try the dish, as well as trying out how to create the delicacies for themselves. The omelette is slightly sweet and whet appetites for the next and final part of the big day out – sushi!
The most popular culinary export from the nation of Japan is loved and consumed worldwide, but there’s nothing like the local flare of enjoying traditional dishes where they were born and bred – so it was most definitely sushi on the menu for a lunch of champions.
Fuelled up and ready for Motegi, Lorenzo, Smith and Espargaro then headed off for another engagement at Star Rise Tower, joined by Lorenzo’s Movistar Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi for a Premium Customer Event.
Lights out for FP1 sees MotoGP™ head out on track on Friday morning local time at the Twin Ring Motegi, as Repsol Honda Team's Marc Marquez faces his first chance at the title - and Rossi and Lorenzo prepare a final stand.