Alex Rins Makes History Of Being The First Rider To Try The Mandalika Circuit

JAKARTA – Suzuki Ecstar champion Alex Rins started the history sheet on the asphalt of the Mandalika Circuit in the 2022 MotoGP pre-season test session on Friday, February 11.

The Spaniard who was born in Barcelona, December 8, 1995, became the first rider to leave the team's paddock and try out the Mandalika track. He devoured 17 corners on the 4.31-kilometer track before being followed by other riders.

A total of 18 other MotoGP riders then followed behind Rins. The appearance of the racers on the track was immediately greeted by the applause of dozens of spectators, some of whom were workers who were completing the construction of the circuit's supporting infrastructure.

The roar of the machines with a capacity of 1,000 cc also sparked the enthusiasm of the people around the circuit. They watched the actions of the selected riders from outside the track.

The track officers or marshalls, most of whom are local residents, have also started duty. They mingle with other officers such as the medical team and special cleaning staff.

An ambulance belonging to the Ministry of Health was on standby right between turns 15 and 16 where there is a special evacuation route. Ambulances are needed to evacuate riders who have an accident while in action on the track. A small team consisting of a doctor and three nurses is on standby.

The Mandalika 2022 MotoGP pre-season test schedule starts at 09.00 WITA, Friday, February 11 to 17.00 WITA.

Pre-season testing at Mandalika will continue on Saturday, February 12 tomorrow and Sunday, February 13. The second and third day of the test will be held at the same time.

On the first day of the test, the officers raised a red flag due to the slippery and dirty track brought by rainwater. The test then continued at 12.00 WITA when the green flag was raised by the officers.