MotoGP Mandalika 2022 Writes History

BISNIS NEWS – Portuguese racer Miguel Oliviera gave fantastic performance at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia MotoGP at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Sunday 20 Maret 2022.

This RedBull KTM main racer finisher first followed by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing Team).

He listed himself as the inaugural champion of the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia series. For Oliviera, this is the fourth victory in his career in MotoGP.

Oliviera led from the fifth lap and was not overtaken until the final lap.

A total of 23 riders took part in the race which has been postponed for 75 minutes due to heavy rain that poring the main track wet.

Around 60 thousand spectators packing the stands remained enthusiastic despite the rain, being aware that this is an important event.

The rain went on for 1.5 hours and had stopped the start of the race. At around 15.30 WITA (Cebtran Indonesian Time), President Joko Widodo got off the Royal Box and headed to the racing garage.

He was greeted by the Chief Executive Officer of Dorna Sports Carmelo Ezpeleta.

After 30 minutes of discussion, a decision was made that the race would be started.

However, due to weather conditions, it was decided that the race length of the Indonesian GP was reduced to 20 laps, down from the originally scheduled 27.

“The president asked for the competition to start when the rain stopped,” said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, who accompanied the President.

The race was then opened with the national anthem Indonesia Raya accompanied by the Music Corps of the Presidential Security Forces during light rain conditions.

The series at Mandalika became a nightmare for six-time MotoGP world champion, Marc Marquez because he failed to race due to a severe accident he experienced at Curb 7 during the warm-up prior to the race.

The Spaniard was rushed to the Mataram Hospital using the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopter belonging to the National SAR Agency at around 11.20 WITA. He was accompanied by his manager, Emilio Alzamora.

An hour later, Marquez was flown back to the Mandalika Circuit, only moments before the official racing schedule. However, recently this Repsol Honda Team main racer withdrew due to a head injury.

In the Moto3 class, the Indonesian racer, Mario Suryo Aji, who started the front row, managed to finish in 14th place. This Honda Team Asia champion was able to prove himself to fight very well.

Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) came out as champion, followed by Izan Guevara (Aspar Team) and Carlos Tatay (CFMoto).

In the Moto2 class, Somkiat Chantra made history as the first Thai to climb the championship podium. He also made his team GASGAS proud because this was their first score.

The Managing Director of the Mandalika Grand Prix Association, Priandhi Satria said, all the racers admitted that they enjoyed competing in Mandalika and were impressed by the hospitality of the Indonesian people.

The next MotoGP series will be held in Argentina, April 4, 2022. The next Mandalika Circuit will host the World Superbike series, November 11-13, 2022.***