The first MotoGP grand prix in Indonesia since 1997 has been surrounded by as much fanfare as you’d expect in the motorsport-obsessed country. Even President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo himself took part in a welcome parade for the riders in Jakarta ahead of this weekend’s race, which will be held at Lombok’s Mandalika Circuit.
Hundreds of fans braved the Jakarta heat this morning to get a glimpse of the 20 MotoGP racers, as the motorsport stars drove from the Presidential Palace on Medan Merdeka Utara Street to Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout. Police closed off several major Central Jakarta streets this morning for the parade.
Before the parade, President Jokowi greeted the racers for a photo op on and near the steps of the Presidential Palace. Some would undoubtedly have liked to see Jokowi ride a motorbike and join the parade (remember his “dramatic bike entrance” at the 2018 Asian Games opening ceremony?). This time, however, the president merely saw the racers off as they went on their way.
It was apparent that authorities were keen to impress as the eyes of the world turned to Indonesia for this weekend’s race. The Jakarta Metro Police even told the public to respect road closures for this once-in-a-blue-moon parade.
“Be a good, disciplined host and obey the authorities’ instructions. Do not disrupt the MotoGP parade, because this is going to be watched by the international community,” Jakarta Metro Police Traffic Director Sambodo Purnomo Yugo said this morning.
The race is set to take place this weekend on March 18-20 at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The Mandalika MotoGP grand prix marks the return of the premier class of motorcycle road racing being contested in Indonesia after a 25-year absence.
