MotoGP wows Hollywood crowds.

MotoGP stars Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards, Casey Stoner, Shinya Nakano, John Hopkins and Sete Gibernau - plus ex-racer Randy Mamola - introduced MotoGP to Hollywood on Tuesday, when they took part in a parade along Hollywood Boulevard ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix.

After riding up the famous street, and entertaining fans in front of the Chinese Theatre, the riders took part in a press conference at the Roosevelt Hotel, before attending the first screening of the new MotoGP movie The Doctor, The Tornado and The Kentucky Kid at Paramount Studios.

The film is centred around last year's United States Grand Prix and the film's title is based on the nicknames of Valentino Rossi, Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden - the top three finishers in the 2005 race. One year on and Hayden returns to America with another victory under his belt - and holding the world championship lead.

"I'm definitely proud to be leading the world championship going into my home race and so it was cool to see so many fans come out and cheer us on today," Hayden said afterwards. "Winning the grand prix at Laguna last year was the best day of my life and the film brought back a few good memories."

"It was quite strange to be riding a bike up Hollywood Boulevard, but it was fantastic how many fans turned out to see us!" added countryman Edwards. "The turnout showed how MotoGP is growing in popularity here in the US and it was really special for us American riders to come home and get that kind of welcome.

"The movie is great, I really enjoyed it and re-living last year's race again has just brought home to me how much I want to win this year! We've got to build on last year's result and the only way we can do that is by winning! I can't wait till Sunday; I'm putting on my boxing gloves and I'm going come out fighting the second those lights go out!" warned the Texas Tornado.

After the parade, the riders made the short flight north from Los Angeles to Monterey to begin preparations for Sunday's 32-lap race. Practice at the re-surfaced track starts on Friday morning local time.