Jakarta: Portuguese MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira won Indonesia’s first Grand Prix race in 25 years on Sunday, claiming victory among the world’s top riders to race in challenging conditions on a rain-soaked circuit.
A quarter-century later, Indonesia’s motorcycle-crazy fans were treated to an eventful, top-class racing weekend at the Mandalika International Street Circuit on the island of Lombok.
Sunday’s sold-out race was delayed by 75 minutes due to heavy rain, and more than 60,000 spectators – among them President Joko Widodo – also saw a hired magician perform a ritual in an attempt to end the wet weather.
Oliveira finished ahead of defending world champion Fabio Quarto of France in Mandalika. The 27-year-old KTM rider, who received the nickname “Rainmaster” on social media after the race, dedicated the victory to his daughter.
“It’s really emotional,” Oliveira said. “I promised my daughter that I would get a trophy from Indonesia, so it’s for you baby.”
Widodo, a biker himself, handed over the trophy to Oliveira.
“Congratulations to Miguel Oliveira, the winner of the 2022 Indonesian MotoGP,” he said.
HighLight
Sunday’s sold-out race was delayed by 75 minutes due to heavy rain, and more than 60,000 spectators – among them President Joko Widodo – also saw a hired magician perform a ritual in an attempt to end the wet weather.
Indonesia last hosted a MotoGP round in 1997 at a track near Jakarta. It has struggled to be included in the race calendar due to the lack of a world-class circuit. The new track of 4.3 km in Mandalika was completed in 2021.
The Indonesian MotoGP – the second stop on the 2022 MotoGP calendar after the opening race in Qatar – saw riders race less over tire safety fears.
Six-time world champion Marc Marquez of Spain, who competed in the big race, also tossed him in the air after an accident during the morning warm-up.
The discussion around the event marking Indonesia’s return to world-class racing has also focused on the government-backed, mega-tourism infrastructure project on the island of Lombok, which officials hope will give the region competition with neighboring Bali. Will give Which is one of the top Indonesia. holiday destinations.
As Indonesia aims to promote sports tourism through Mandala, the authorities also hope to create thousands of jobs and attract 2 million foreign visitors annually.
Lombok is still struggling to rebuild as a devastating earthquake hit the island in 2018 that killed hundreds and caused widespread damage.
But the massive program is not without controversy, with UN experts condemning the evictions during land purchases for the circuit last year.