Jokowi to attend MotoGP race in Mandalika

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) confirmed that he would be present during the MotoGP race to be held at the Mandalika Circuit, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on March 18-20, 2022.

"I will watch. I may stay for one day," Jokowi stated at the Merdeka Palace, here on Wednesday, after flagging off the MotoGP participants.

The head of state had the opportunity to converse with the MotoGP participants at the palace. Jokowi told the racers that he was, in fact, keen to join the MotoGP racers' convoy headed for Kempinski Hotel. However, he was advised against doing so due to security concerns.

"I am not allowed to ride a motorbike because of the security factor," he remarked.

Some 20 MotoGP racers, after meeting the president at the palace, departed for Kempinski Hotel via the Medan Merdeka Utara avenue, Medan Merdeka Barat avenue, and Hotel Indonesia (HI) Circle.

They were riding motorcycles of various brands, such as Honda, KTM, Ducati, Aprilia, Yamaha, and Suzuki.

The Indonesian security forces guarded the convoy.

Scheduled on March 20, the Indonesian Grand Prix, is the second race of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship.

The Mandalika Circuit is located at the Mandalika Special Economic Zone on Lombok Island, NTB.

The Mandalika Circuit measures 4,310 meters in length and has a total of 17 turns. It is an asymmetrical circuit wherein it has more turns in one direction than in the other. There are 11 right-hand turns and only six left-hand turns. The main track measures 507 meters.

A unique feature about Mandalika is that it is located on the sea shore.

Indonesia has only twice hosted the Motorcycling World Championship Grand Prix: in 1996 and 1997 at the Sentul circuit, West Java.