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Although it wasn’t his first time in Indonesia, Spanish MotoGP racer Jorge Lorenzo said he was thrilled to be in Jakarta.

“I’m always glad to visit Indonesia. It feels like a second home to me. It’s a beautiful country,” Lorenzo said before some 200 fans and Yamaha customers during a meet and greet event on Friday at Atrium Plaza Epicentrum, South Jakarta.

Lorenzo is a three-time motorcycle world champion and one of the hottest talents in the sport. He made his championship debut when he was only 15, taking part in the  Spanish Grand Prix in 2002.

The 2010 Moto GP world champion, Lorenzo was in Jakarta to endorse Yamaha’s newest motorcycle, the Jupiter Z White, which was released to the Indonesia market on Friday.

The Jupiter Z White is also the official vehicle for the 2012 National Sports Week (PON) in Riau province.

Lorenzo and fellow MotoGP rider Ben Spies were also scheduled to pass on their experience and knowledge at a coaching clinic for 10 riders from the Yamaha Cup Race.

Lorenzo first came to Indonesia in 2008 to launch the Vega ZR. The following year, he graced another Yamaha launch product, the Jupiter 7, and in 2010, he appeared at the launch of the Lexam. Last year, Lorenzo visited Bali for a commercial shoot and held a meet and greet with his fans.

Multiple world champion and MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi visited Indonesia in 2009.

On the sidelines however, TV gossip programs and the blogsphere were busy talking about singer Syahrini, who was chosen to welcome Lorenzo at the airport.

The two appeared on a TV variety show, “Bukan Empat Mata,” on Friday night.

Previously, Syahrini stirred the microblogging universe with a hair and clothing style that critics said was copied from former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, when last year she welcomed the Los Angeles Galaxy players, including Victoria’s husband, David, at Soekarno-Hatta airport.

The pop singer said she might not be well-versed about the sport, but she knew about Lorenzo.

“I know he had an accident once that almost cracked one of his fingers,” she said.

“And I know that he’s one tough racer to beat because he’s persistent and very disciplined,” said the Bogor-born singer.

Antara