Dorna Sports SL has added another Asian country on its list with Indonesia confirmed to host a MotoGP and also a World Superbike round from 2021 onward.
Dorna’s chief Carmelo Ezpeleta visited Indonesian island of Lombok within Mandalika on ‘holiday’ last year between the races in Australia and Malaysia, where seeds were sown regarding a possible MotoGP race in the future in the country.
Nearly six months after the initial discussion, the MotoGP race has been confirmed with Dorna also adding World SBK event after signing two promoters’ deal. In fact, the contract was already signed on January 28 in their Madrid office.
Ezpeleta was joined by Indonesia’s tourism board head, Abdulbar M. Mansoer, in the presence of the Senior Management of both parties and also witnessed by Indonesian’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Spain, Drs. Hermono M.A for the signing.
The contract will see a MotoGP and World SBK race take place on the island of Lombok in Mandalika from 2021 onward as Indonesia becomes the latest Asian addition to the calendar, following the success in Thailand.
“What a unique project this will be, having an urban, world class circuit in a country where MotoGP has such a huge following,” said Ezpeleta. “Indonesia is a key market for us with a considerable percentage of motorsport fans living here and the MotoGP atmosphere will be even stronger once the circuit is complete.
“Also, by including Lombok to the WorldSBK calendar makes this offer more attractive for local fans having two World Class events in the area during the year.” Further details surrounding the deal will be announced later on.
Mansoer added: “We are very excited to have partnered up with Dorna and are delighted to be able to bring world-class motorsport events to Indonesia and the Mandalika in Lombok together.”