The Story That Remains When MotoGP Racer Franco Morbidelli Rides The PJR Polda NTB

Franco Morbidelli Photo via @ FrankyMorbido12

JAKARTA - For the MotoGP racer, Franco Morbidelli, Assistant Inspector of Police Dua Lalu Dwi Prayitno is an angel. The member of the PJR Unit from the NTB Regional Police became the god of salvation for Franco Morbidelli, escorting a missed flight to Italy from Lombok International Airport (BIL) on Monday, March 21.

Morbidelli had borrowed a police service motorbike driven by Prayitno, who is the commander of the BM 3 Patrol and Traffic Unit Guards for the East Lombok Police, NTB Police.

"At that time, my colleagues and I from the PJR Unit Polda NTB were ordered to escort 13 groups of MotoGP riders who would return to their respective countries to Lombok International Airport," said Dwi Prayitno through a press release from Public Relations of the NTB Police, in Mataram, NTB. , Wednesday 23 March.

He explained what actually happened at that time, when he and the NTB Regional Police PJR Unit were about to escort the MotoGP racers to the airport. However, at that time, one of the drivers, Morbidelli, arrived late, so he was forced to leave 12 other drivers.

“Morbidelli did arrive late, so the other 12 groups were forced to go to the airport with an escort from my colleagues. Meanwhile I was ordered to wait for Morbidelli to carry out the next escort," he explained.

It wasn't long before Morbidelli arrived and he too was getting ready to get into his vehicle to escort. But suddenly, the Italian racer was interested in seeing the police service vehicle and immediately approached him.

"He approached me and asked for permission to use this official motorbike, maybe he wanted to feel the sensation of testing the vehicle because coincidentally the brand of the official motorbike I was carrying was the same as the motorbike brand he used when racing in the MotoGP event," he said.

"After I gave permission and Morbidelli was getting ready to ride the motorbike, suddenly he asked me to sit in the back so he could ride him to the hotel. But at that time I was confused because there was only one helmet. Fortunately, at the gate of the Mandalika Circuit, my colleague gave me a helmet, so when we were on the highway we both wore helmets," he said.

He said that during the trip, of course, as a normal human being, he also felt proud as well as nervous because apart from being ridden by a world-class racer (MotoGP). As an officer he must also ensure the safety, security and comfort of the Italian racer.

"I'm proud to be ridden by this world-class racer, but I'm also nervous because I'm afraid that something will happen to Morbidelli, because I also have to make sure that he is safe, secure and comfortable," he said.

"Because this is in accordance with instructions from our highest leadership at the NTB Police, Mr. Inspector General of Police Drs Djoko Poerwanto so that we police must ensure security and provide the best service to tourists and the public visiting NTB," he continued.

After arriving at the hotel, Morbidelli thanked him for being given the opportunity to experience the thrill of riding a motorbike for the police service. Then he entered the hotel to get his things and got out again in the car that had been prepared to take him to the airport with an escort from Prayitno and other police officers.

“We then carried out an escort to the airport, thank God Morbidelli arrived on time and did not miss the flight to Italy. He also had time to thank and give appreciation to us the Indonesian Police for helping the racers during the MotoGP event at the Mandalika Circuit several times.