Indonesia secures deal to host MotoGP races

Monday, 26 Feb, 2019 0

Fresh from submitting an ambitious bid to host the 2032 Olympics, Indonesia has secured a key deal to host MotoGP races from 2021.

A new road circuit will be built at the huge Mandalika integrated resort development still taking shape in South Lombok.

Mandalika is one of Indonesia’s ‘new Bali’ tourist developments being fast-tracked to help disperse tourist traffic away from Bali.

Tourism minister Arief Yahya wants to position Mandalika as a sports tourism hub.

The circuit will measure 4.3km long with 18 turns and have capacity for up to 100,000 spectators.

Mandalika operator state-owned Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation signed a three-year deal to host a MotoGP race with Dorna Group, which holds the exclusive commercial and TV rights for the MotoGP motorcycling championship.

"What a unique project this will be, having an urban, world-class circuit in a country where MotoGP has such a huge following," Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said.

"Indonesia is a key market for us with a considerable percentage of motorsport fans living here.

MotoGP is indeed huge in Indonesia and is arguably second only to English Premier League football for TV viewing figures.

"With plans to host MotoGP and the development of golf courses in Mandalika, I suggest for Mandalika to position itself as a sports destination," minister Arief said.

France’s Vinci Construction Grands Projets has been selected to build the circuit.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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