IDNAround.com – Although there are no Indonesian riders among the 11 teams competing in MotoGP, the Mandalika MotoGP series remains a source of pride for Indonesia. One of the Indonesian representatives comes through the VR46 Ducati team, owned by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. This team is supported by Pertamina through its subsidiary, Enduro Lubricants, and is therefore named VR46 Pertamina Enduro.
In addition, Ducati Gresini is also sponsored by several Indonesian brands, such as Antangin, Bold, Federal Oil, Wonderful Indonesia, Aspira, KYT, and Ms. Glow. The presence of these Indonesian brands further strengthens the nation’s involvement in the global MotoGP event.
Meanwhile, the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, located in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has made history. FIM and Dorna, the organizers and rights holders of MotoGP, have called it the most beautiful circuit in the world. With a length of 4.3 km and a width of 15 meters, Mandalika Circuit features 17 corners, consisting of 11 right turns and 6 left turns. The circuit also boasts the largest gravel trap areas compared to other circuits.
In 2022, Miguel Oliveira became the first rider to claim the top podium at Mandalika while representing Red Bull KTM. Meanwhile, in 2023, Francesco Bagnaia won the race in Indonesia, a victory that helped propel him to his second world championship.
Mandalika MotoGP not only offers world-class racing action but also showcases Indonesia’s involvement in the international motorsports scene, both through sponsorships and the achievements of the circuit.
Marc Marquez’s Failure at Mandalika MotoGP 2024
The 2024 Mandalika MotoGP was a disappointing event for Marc Marquez. The Gresini Racing rider had to end his race prematurely after his bike caught fire, causing him to retire from the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit in Lombok on Sunday (September 29, 2024).
The incident started on the first lap when a crash involving Jack Miller occurred. The crash also affected Alex Marquez, Aleix Espargaro, and Luca Marini, disrupting their races.
With 15 laps remaining, Marc Marquez was forced to pull off the track. The Ducati bike, ridden by the 31-year-old rider, suddenly caught fire, prompting emergency crews to use fire extinguishers to control the blaze.
This failure halted Marquez’s momentum after an impressive performance in the sprint race, where he managed to finish on the podium in third place, having started from 12th position.
Meanwhile, Jorge Martin continued to dominate the race, leading in first place, followed closely by Pedro Acosta in second.
This international racing event was also attended by the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, who watched the world’s top riders in action. The President was accompanied by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, and the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir, reflecting the government’s strong support for MotoGP in Indonesia.
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