MotoGP Indonesia VIDEO: Grand Prix started with President in Jakarta

When the President who officiates in Indonesia declared that the MotoGP Grand Prix which will take place this weekend on the track built on the Island of Lombok in Mandalika was a true national cause, he was serious. To the point that he gave of himself by participating in a parade with 20 drivers, among whom the reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo was still missing. The latter had nevertheless arrived in Indonesia.    

Le MotoGP enjoyed a literal presidential welcome with a parade in the capital Jakarta. The Pertamina Indonesian Grand Prix began this Wednesday under the authority of the president. Joko Widodo. The CEO of Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta and sports director Carlos Ezpeleta were also at the party.

The event began with a special breakfast, before the pilots then entered Merdeka Palace for their meeting with President Jokowi. With the FIM MotoGP World Championship returning to Indonesia for the first time since 1997, it's a huge weekend for the country and the sport. After the meeting, the group moved outside to watch the president's motorcycle and line up on a gate at the palace for the start of the parade. With 20 runners all equipped and booted, as well as Carmelo and Carlos Ezpeleta, the spectacle was all the more memorable because it was the president himself who started the parade by waving a checkered flag.

Members of local Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and Yamaha fan clubs also joined the motorcycle train, creating a convoy heading towards Central Jakarta. It was approximately 4km from the starting point at the Palace to the finish line at the Kempinski Hotel, with fans lining every inch of the street along the route.

Indonesia: Yamaha was represented by the two RNF riders at the parade

Once arrived, the riders parked their machines and greeted the fans, before heading towards the Pertamina Mandalika circuit. With the interviews over and a few sliders thrown to the crowd, it was then time to head back, freshen up and get ready for the journey to Lombok. On-track action begins Friday morning.

Carmelo Ezpeleta commented : " it was an incredible event, with all the riders who helped us a lot for this promotion, Indonesia is one of the biggest countries in the world for MotoGP. We are very proud to be received at the palace by the President. It is something incredible and we appreciate it so much. We are so happy and the effort made by the race organizers to make this parade happen with all the drivers was something truly impressive.

“We have known for many years that MotoGP in Indonesia is very popular. We think it will be a great event and something really important for the sport. We hope this will be the first of many. We have a long-term agreement to race in Indonesia. It's a new organization and a new circuit but everyone worked together to make it a success.".