Lorenzo receives a memorable welcome in Mallorca

Some 5,000 people cheered the rider in the tributes organized in the Palma, after he returned from securing the MotoGP World Champion crown.

This Wednesday Jorge Lorenzo was welcomed by an enthusiastic reception, on his return home from the triple Asiatic where he secured his first MotoGP crown. Yesterday was a day to party and the celebrations for the new world champion in the premier class saw him surrounded by a huge crowd in his hometown of the Palma de Mallorca.

The first surprise was at the airport of the Palma where the President of the Air Europa, one of Lorenzo’s main sponsors, showed him one of the hangars where the Spaniard discovered that one of the company’s Boeings had been renamed “Lorenzo's Land” in his honor. Lorenzo then christened the hanger with a bottle of champagne.

The rider was then driven from Son Sant Joan to Palma in an open carriage, escorted by hundreds of motorists. The delegation toured the main streets of the city and the rider, accompanied by his parents, was able to see and feel the affection of his countrymen. Upon arrival at Consolat Sea (home of the Balearic Government), Lorenzo was received by President Francesc Antich and other local authorities who gave him a commemorative plaque, and then the pilot appeared on the balcony of the Government headquarters, where the crowd cheered his name.

"This is yours. We are already champions. I am proud to be a representative of Mallorca" exclaimed the emotional 23 year old motorcyclist, who ended by joined in with chants of 'We Are The Champions' sung enthusiastically by the thousands gathered.

Before continuing the party, the Fiat Yamaha rider held a small press conference in which he commented on his 2010 championship victory - "I have achieved my dream and this title should be celebrated to the max" –remembering the people that had helped him to achieve it, starting with his father, Chicho, and his mother, Maria, and expressing his hopes to return to his island and the home of the government on future occasions to celebrate more successes in the World Championship.