MotoGP and Yamaha legends Valentino Rossi and Jorgo Lorenzo have led the congratulations for Alex Lowes and his team for winning the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race.
Lincoln-born Lowes rider was part of the three-man squad, along with MotoGP star Pol Espargaro and Japanese rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga, which completely dominated the 2016 edition of endurance racing's blue ribbon event.
It is the second year in a row Yamaha have won the event, but the first time Lowes has triumphed.
"I'm very, very happy. This is the first time I've won this event and the whole week has been fantastic," said Lowes, who rides for Pata Yamaha in World Superbikes.
"It's a totally different experience to my normal racing championship and the atmosphere we have in the team and the relationship we have has been really enjoyable, both on the track and off the track.
"The feeling you get when you win is fantastic and it's been a couple of years since I've felt that.
"I want to say a massive thank you to the whole Yamaha Factory Racing Team for inviting me here. All the staff and guys have been fantastic.
"Pol and Nakasuga-san have been fantastic team-mates, they're really fast which has made the job a lot easier for me, so a big thank you to them and hopefully I'll be back next year."
The victory earned praise from none other than MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi and his Yamaha team-mate, reigning world champion Jorgo Lorenzo.
Rossi tweeted: Great congratulations to everybody in Yamaha Factory Racing for the fantastic victory at Suzuka8h!!! RevsYourHeart
Spaniard Lorenzo, who will switch to Ducati for 2017, tweeted: "Congratulations to YamahaTeam for the 2nd victory in a row at Suzuka8hours!
Lowes resumes him World Superbike campaign in Germany in mid-September.
His twin brother Sam continues his challenge for the Moto2 title in Austria on the weekend of August 14.
