MotoGP Tests Mandalika: everyone will be a rookie in Indonesia!

This Friday, MotoGP will launch for three days of testing in Indonesia on a completely unknown Mandalika track. A new frontier in this new country included in the MotoGP calendar, a nation requested in the list of a season now extended to 21 meetings, for strategic reasons. And for good reason, in these latitudes, the motorcycle market is on the rise. The WSBK knows the place since it made its grand final there which crowned Razgatlioglu. Before getting started from the beginning according to the European zone, here is a presentation and a reminder of the forces present observed since the two days of testing in Malaysia, at Sepang...

Mandalika is a name to remember in Grand Prix since here is the new track located in Indonesia, and built at great expense, operational for the racing season. MotoGP, at large. All while the pandemic is officially still going on. A challenge. From this Friday, the prototypes and the best of the drivers will set foot on this asphalt laid on the Island of Lombok. THE WSBK, at the end of last year, went there as a precursor, with positive impressions. And also the discovery of changing weather, characterized by biblical rains. An experience that MotoGP should also experience according to forecasts…

According to observers, the Indonesian track, inaugurated last year, would be a “mixed” track. » between Buriram and Argentina. The circuit is located on the south coast of Lombok, and the southernmost turn 10 is only a few hundred meters from the beach. Mandalika has proven to be one of the fastest circuits on the WSBK calendar, with the world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu achieving an average speed of 166,672 km/h on his pole position with the qualifying tire. Last year, Superbike riders were only faster at Assen (174,2), Aragon (168,5) and Barcelona (166,9).

Will Mandalika reassure Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha?  

The Mandalika circuit is 4 meters long, has our right turns and six left turns, and the start and finish straight measures 507 meters long. Philipp Öttl described it as a “ German highway with American pull-off zones“. Officially, the road operates under the name "Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit". Pertamina is an Indonesian state-owned joint stock company that earns its revenue from oil and gas production.

Paddock side, the troops arrive with the events in mind of two days of tests and as many shakedowns at Sepang in Malaysia. Ducati, Suzuki and Aprilia showed themselves to their advantage, Honda showed promise while concern dominates at KTM and, above all, Yamaha . The fact remains that everyone will be a rookie in Indonesia from 11 at 13 February, which could reveal an interesting hierarchy…