Just four days after the MotoGP teams hurriedly packed up their garages after the last round in Portugal, the World Championship returned to another country and another continent for the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan. The very different atmosphere of the two races was striking, but the work to be undertaken was the same at this crucial moment in the season. A number of riders were arriving directly from Tokyo, where yesterday they took part in the highly successful “MotoGP lands in Tokyo” event and were greeted by 3000 fans in Shinjuku Station Square. Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden Colin Edwards, Carlos Checa, Chris Vermeulen, Randy de Puniet and Anthony West in addition to home favourites Shinya Nakano and Makoto Tamada, had all made an early trip to the Japanese city. Of the ten riders at the event, three were on double duty as they took part in today’s pre-event press conference. MotoGP World Championship leader Stoner was joined by Rossi, last year’s race winner Loris Capirossi, home rider Tamada and Honda’s Dani Pedrosa to field questions from the media ahead of the Japanese challenge. For Stoner, even though the title is nearly within his grasp, this race will be no different than every other. He commented on his minor troubles in Portugal, and looked forward to what is hoped will be a thrilling race. “We struggled in Portugal a bit, I think I messed about a bit too much mid-race trying to keep up. This race has always been good for Ducati though, even when perhaps the season hasn’t been going so well,” said the Australian. “Last year I did ok here but the settings were a little wrong, but the weekend overall was good. I hope that I can continue the good form this year. This track makes the racing interesting, with lots of overtaking.” Rossi, who has never won on a four-stroke at Motegi, explained his history at the Japanese circuit, and went through the important factors for Sunday’s race. “It’s not one of my favourite tracks; I’ve had a lot of second places here, always trying to catch up with Loris but never managing!” said the five-time MotoGP World Champion. “Brake settings will be important here, but in Portugal we did well with the brakes so I’m not so worried. We just have to check the new Michelins, and see if they work on this surface.” Practice sessions for the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan begin tomorrow at 9am local time.