The Indonesian President joins the Jakarta MotoGP parade

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Before this weekend's Grand Prix at Mandalika, MotoGP takes to the streets of Jakarta, with Indonesian President Jokowi in attendance.

 

On the eve of the first Indonesian MotoGP race since 1997, President Jokowi waved a special procession through the streets of the capital Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon.

The 4km ride featured 20 riders from the MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and Asia Talent Cup divisions, as well as Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta.

 

"It's been an amazing event, and all of the riders have been quite helpful with this promotion," Carmelo Ezpeleta remarked.
"Indonesia is one of the most important MotoGP countries in the world.

"We're honoured to be welcomed into the President's palace; it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we greatly appreciate.
We're overjoyed to be able to do so; the race organisers' efforts to organise this parade with all of the riders have been truly remarkable.

 

"When we first came here many years ago, we realised how big MotoGP is in Indonesia.
We believe it will be a fantastic event and a significant milestone for the sport.

"We hope it'll be the first of many; we've agreed to race in Indonesia on a long-term basis."
Although it is a new organisation and circuit, everyone has worked together to make it a success."

 

Local motorcyclists from Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, and Yamaha fan clubs also joined the train of bikes making its way through central Jakarta from Merdeka Palace to the Kempinski Hotel, which was started by the President waving a chequered flag.

The riders stopped their machines, waved to the crowds, and threw a few knee sliders before proceeding to this weekend's maiden MotoGP at the new Mandalika circuit, which is located two hours from Jakarta on the island of Lombok (next to Bali).

"We were here for Honda events many years ago, and I've felt like people follow MotoGP a lot and it's something great since my first [visit]," said eight-time world champion Marc Marquez.