On his way to Malaysia for the 17th and penultimate round of the season, World Champion Marc Marquez made a stop in Indonesia for a promotional event in one of Honda’s key markets.

Marc had been in Jakarta last February for the launch of the Repsol Honda Team, and he returned eight months later as 2016 MotoGP World Champion, to the joy of the thousands of enthusiastic Indonesian fans who gave him a hero’s welcome.

Upon his arrival in Jakarta on Monday evening, Marc attended a dinner with top management from Astra Honda, as well as the major national motorsport media. On Tuesday morning the 23-year-old met a group of around 15 young riders who were students at Astra Honda Racing School Indonesia, and rode a few laps with them at the Sentul Circuit. In the afternoon Marc returned to action to ride the new Honda CBR250RR, much to the enjoyment of a cheering crowd of enthusiastic supporters. Afterward, the Repsol Honda rider met with fans during a signing session before rushing to catch a plane to Malaysia, where the track action will resume at Sepang International Circuit on Friday.

Marc Marquez - 2016 MotoGP World Champion

“I’m happy to be back here after our visit in February and to be able to do so after winning the title. It’s a pleasure to have the chance to celebrate it with all of Honda’s fans here, as they’re incredibly enthusiastic and supportive. It’s good to see that our sport is so loved and that we have so many, many followers. Today we met the students from Astra Honda Racing School at the Sentul track; I think Honda is doing a great job here, allowing young riders a chance to follow their dreams. Maybe in the near future we’ll race with some of them! I also enjoyed riding the new Honda CBR250RR as the crowd in the grandstands went crazy. I can’t even imagine what it would be like racing here—it would be amazing! I’m just sorry that Dani is not here, I wish him the best, hope he comes back very soon”.