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Our MotoGP analysts, Uri Puigdemont and Germán Garcia Casanova , agree when it comes to assessing the great feeling of improvisation that the Mandalika circuit projected over the weekend, a spectacular facility set in a unique setting, but at the infrastructure level It does not seem to be at the minimum level required for a world championship in the highest category.
The resurfacing of a good part of the circuit between the February tests and last weekend’s race was a demonstration of the will of the local authorities and the promoters to carry out a Grand Prix that was at risk due to poor quality of the pavement and the problems that this caused to the runners.
The reaction of Michelin , the series’ sole tire supplier, also seemed improvised, which decided to replace this season’s compounds with a rear rubber with a more resistant casing, units like those used in Austria 2018, in favor of the safety of the riders. pilots, a change that completely removed the cards from the deck, benefiting some and harming others.
On the side of the least benefited by the change of tires was Suzuki and, above all, Honda , whose new prototype RC213V 2022, which offered such good sensations in the preseason, in this same circuit, and in the first Grand Prix held in Qatar , became a runaway colt on the fragile Indonesian asphalt, to the point that Marc Márquez suffered, in Sunday’s warm up, one of the worst falls of his sports career, which prevented him from taking part in the MotoGP test .
The rain, which a priori seemed like a setback, ended up ‘saving’ the MotoGP race which, surely, in dry conditions could not have taken place.
A race that took place, unexpectedly, as it did in Qatar with Enea Bastianini , the KTM rider Miguel Oliveira , who dominated in wet conditions from start to finish, showing that the Austrian factory, which already achieved second place in Losail with Brad Binder , he is doing things very well and is already leading the team championship.
The Indonesian Grand Prix in photos
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing
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Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing
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Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing
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Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing
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Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing
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Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing
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Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing
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Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing
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Photo by: Aprilia Racing
MotoGP clothing store at Mandalika Circuit
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Photo by: Xaveria Yunita
MotoGP clothing store at Mandalika Circuit
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Photo by: Xaveria Yunita
MotoGP clothing store at Mandalika Circuit
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Photo by: Xaveria Yunita
Podium: Winner Miguel Oliveira, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
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Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Podium: Second place Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
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Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Andrea Dovizioso, RNF MotoGP Racing
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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Andrea Dovizioso, RNF MotoGP Racing
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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO Dorna Sports, the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo
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Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Darryn Binder, RNF MotoGP Racing
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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Darryn Binder, RNF MotoGP Racing
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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Miguel Oliveira, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing with dad