Mandalika MotoGP Report March 2022; Feel the Heat at Rains!

​(JPTG/By.Rido Ivanus) The 2022 MotoGP Race II event was successfully held at new Pertamina Mandalika Indonesia International Circuit venue on 18-20 March 2022. This event as one of the 21 MotoGP series in 2022 (the highest number series in Grand Prix history since 1949).

The Mandalika 2022 motoGP event features 24 riders from 12 teams competing to collect points and fight for the podium. In addition to MotoGP, Moto3 and Moto2 races will also be competed at the Mandalika circuit.

Race II MotoGP 2022 which will take place in Indonesia this time has caused tremendous euphoria in Indonesian and the world. For the first time Indonesia acted as the host again after the last 25 years of absence as one of the host countries (the last was at Sentul circuit, Bogor-West Java in 1997).

​The government and people have offered all maximum power and effort so that this world sporting event could take place again in Indonesia smooth, safe and successful. Finally, this effort has paid off on March 18-20 2022 at the new Mandalika circuit.

The followings are summary of Mandalika Indonesia MotoGP Complete Report March 2022 and some interesting events that we covered 3 days before and during the race event:

Characteristics of the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit

The circuit which was previously used for the first time in mid-November 2021 at 2021 World Superbike (WSBK) event, was made in a very short time at 14 months. The circuit has a track length of 4.32 km and 17 bends located around Mandalika Beach, precisely in Kuta Village, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province.

Mandalika Beach was famous among surfers because of its crystal clear water, big waves and pristine environment. Besides Mandalika beach, there also many other famous beautiful exotic beaches on the island of Lombok which adjacent to Mandalika, such as Kuta Beach, Gerupuk Beach and Seger Beach.
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​The Great MotoGP Convoy Parade in Jakarta Ahead of Event

Jakarta MotoGP Parade (Photo: Kompas)

Before the official race event held, 20 MotoGP riders who will compete such as Marc Marques, Alex Rins, Enea Bastianini and others along with CEO of Dorna Sports; Carmelo Ezpeleta were invited by Indonesian President Joko Widodo to the State Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday 16 March 2022 to promote the Pertamina Mandalika International MotoGP.

The parade was very lively, greeted by cheers from fans and public. The convoy's parade route include inside city center of Jakarta, starting from Merdeka Palace along to downtown Jl.Thamrin-Sudirman, then to the Kempinski Hotel (Hotel Indonesia Roundabout) and back to the Palace.

People welcomed the parade looked very enthusiastic by greeting each MotoGP racers from side of the highway. Incredible! This is the first time in history of MotoGP. CEO of Dorna Sports and all drivers were impressed by the extraordinary enthusiasm of Indonesian people.
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​President takes a Group Photo and Shows off his Custom Motorbike

Photo: MotoGP.com

Prior to the MotoGP convoy parade in Jakarta, Indonesian President Joko Widodo was seen taking pictures with CEO of Dorna and the Riders on front steps of the State Palace, Jakarta. In addition, the President was also seen showing off his custom motorcycle to the riders. What an interesting and very rare event, isn't it?! ️

Ezpeleta's Comment and Riders Action at Parade

As we quoted from several sources, CEO of Dorna Sports; Carmelo Ezpeleta said that Indonesia is very important in MotoGP event and believes this race will be something very extraordinary.

He said, “We are very proud because President can receive us directly at his State Palace. That is something amazing. We really appreciate that and we are very happy to do", said Carmelo.

Marquez "burnout" (Photo: Faizal Rachman/MPI)

​Meanwhile, Marc Marquez had shown his action of "burnout" in front of the fans at the convoy parade.

​The Excitement Racing at Rainy Track Conditions

After Free Practice and Qualification rounds on previous two days, it's time for MotoGP Race to be held on Sunday afternoon, March 20, 2022. However, after two previous days race in hot track conditions, now the inaugural MotoGP race at Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit rans in wet conditions after suddenly it rained heavily. The race was delayed for 75 minutes, and even it brought rain charmers.

After the race resumed, Miguel Oliveira rider from Portugal appear dominant to become champions. The Red Bull KTM rider carved his name as the winner of the first race at the Mandalika circuit.

Meanwhile, the 6-time MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez, failed to appear because he fell earlier in the qualifying round. Marc Marquez suffered an injury and certainly could not participate in this main MotoGP race.

Yamaha's rider Fabio Quartararo, who controlled the pole position, finally had to settle for finishing at second place through a hard struggle in the last half of the race, followed by Johan Zarco, the French rider from Pramac Ducati team, in third.

The unfavorable weather factor due to rain on the last day of the race caused the number of laps in Mandalika MotoGP race to be reduced from the original plan of 27 to 20 laps.

​Event Schedule and Complete Results of Mandalika MotoGP

1. Miguel Oliveira 2. Fabio Quartararo 3. Johann Zarco (Photo: MotoGP.com)

The schedule for the 2022 Mandalika MotoGP events are:

- Friday 18 March 2022: MotoGP Free Practice Session 1 & 2
- Saturday 19 March 2022: MotoGP Free Practice Session 3 & 4, MotoGP Session Q1 & Q2
- Sunday 20 March 2022: MotoGP Race
 

Here are the full results of 2022 Mandalika MotoGP:

1.         Miguel Oliveira POR Red Bull KTM (RC16) 33m 27.223s
2.         Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +2.205s
3.         Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +3.158s
4.         Jack Miller AUS Ducati Lenovo (GP22) +5.663s
5.         Alex Rins SPA Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) +7.044s
6.         Joan Mir SPA Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) +7.832s
7.         Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +21.115s
8.         Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +32.413s
9.         Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) +32.586s
10.       Darryn Binder RSA WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1)* +32.901s
11.       Enea Bastianini ITA Gresini Ducati (GP21) +33.116s
12.       Pol Espargaro SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +33.599s
13.       Alex Marquez SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +33.735s
14.       Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +34.991s
15.       Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP22) +35.763s
16.       Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) +37.397s
17.       Raul Fernandez SPA KTM Tech3 (RC16) +41.975s
18.       Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Gresini Ducati (GP21) +47.915s
19.       Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +49.471s
20.       Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP21) +49.473s
21.       Remy Gardner AUS KTM Tech3 (RC16) +55.964s
 
Failed to Finish :
Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP22)
Andrea Dovizioso ITA WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1)
 
Cancel :
Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V)

Read Also :  

-The Excitement of World Superbike Championship 2021 Mandalika, Lombok

-Relocation the Capital City of Indonesia (Jakarta to East Kalimantan); Everything You Need to Know