A Series of Unique Stories from Moto GP Racers in Mandalika, Indonesia, Some Wake Up Early for Sholawat Tarhim and Even Ride with 3 Passengers

Kapanlagi.com - Indonesia has been chosen to host MotoGP for the first time. The Pertamina Mandalika Circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) was chosen as the location for the event.

The main event will take place on Sunday (20/3) tomorrow, preceded by training and qualifying sessions starting today, Friday (18/3) and Saturday (19/3). The racers who will compete have been in Indonesia for some time.

The arrival of these superstars in the world of MotoGP has become a public spectacle in Indonesia and has often gone viral on social media. Various interesting stories have emerged during their stay in Indonesia. What are they? Here are some stories from MotoGP racers before the Indonesia Mandalika GP..

1. Aleix Espargaro Greets Fans and Rides Bicycle in Lombok

Photo Credit: Instagram.com/aleixespargaro

Aleix Espargaro, a rider from Spain, arrived in Lombok on Tuesday (15/3). Aleix was seen with several members of his family, such as his wife and child.

The 32-year-old man immediately showed that he could go local. He uploaded a greeting in Indonesian language along with a photo of himself posing in the paddock.

"Good morning, Indonesia, (I am) very happy to arrive in Lombok after traveling almost 30 hours from Andorra!" he said in the photo caption on Instagram.

It is known that Espargaro did not join other racers to depart to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta to meet President Jokowi. However, it seems that he enjoyed his time in Lombok. This can be seen from several of his posts when he rode a bicycle on the streets of Lombok.

2. Marc Marquez Likes Nasi Goreng

Photo credit: Twitter/marcmarquez93

Teammate of Aleix Espargaro, Marc Marquez enjoyed his time in Indonesia before the race. The Repsol Honda rider was interviewed by a Youtube account called Welovehonda Indonesia and was asked about Indonesia ahead of the MotoGP 2022 at the Mandalika Circuit. Interestingly, Marc admitted to liking one of Indonesia's typical foods, nasi goreng.

Initially, Marc, who was seen with his teammate Pol Espargaro, greeted Indonesian fans with a fairly fluent Indonesian accent.

"How are you, bro sis. I love Indonesia," they said.

When asked how often they visit Indonesia, Marc Marquez admitted to visiting Indonesia more often than Pol Espargaro. "Of course, I have been there. I visit Indonesia more often than Pol," said Marc Marquez in the video.

3. Fabio Quartararo Buys Credit at a Counter

Personal Documentation of Lalu Heryansa Febriawan (counter owner)

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider Fabio Quartararo caught attention when he was spotted buying a prepaid card at a counter in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Quartararo visited the counter owned by a seller named Lalu Heryansa Febriawan in Kuta Village, Central Lombok, on Tuesday (15/3/2022).

His arrival immediately caused a stir. He was then swarmed by a number of children who usually sell bracelets to tourists in Kuta Village. Quartararo apparently came with some of his official team members at the time.

4. Bastianini Happy to Chat with Jokowi

Photo: Lukas - Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau

Gresini Racing MotoGP rider Enea Bastianini was part of the group that visited the Jakarta Palace to meet President Joko Widodo on Wednesday (16/3). He expressed his happiness in being able to chat with the number 1 person in Indonesia.

Through his personal Instagram, the 24-year-old rider shared a moment of togetherness with Jokowi, while expressing his feelings after chatting with Pakde Jokowi.

"I am very happy to meet and talk with the President of Indonesia, the parade was also enjoyable! Now, let's head to Mandalika!" wrote Bastianini in the caption of his uploaded photo.

5. Alessandro Zaccone Makes Nasi Goreng as Main Dish

Photo Credit: Instagram.com/alezac6

Alessandro Zaccone is one of the racers who has been seen blending in with Indonesia. Through an Instagram Stories post on Wednesday (3/16), the Italian racer shared a photo of him enjoying a local dinner with his friends.

"Kuta Lombok @claudiofuccaro, @andrea.ilario, @oscar_picanyol," wrote Alessandro Zaccone on his @alezac61 account.

Like most Indonesians, no meal is complete without rice. The group of MotoGP Mandalika 2022 racers was seen enjoying rice as their dinner choice.

Interestingly, Zaccone and his friends made nasi goreng as their main dish. In addition, they also had a variety of other Indonesian dishes such as grilled fish, various sambals, shrimp, and water spinach.

6. Marcos Ramirez Wakes Up to the Sound of Sholawat Tahrim

Photo Credit: TikTok/LambeGP

Spanish racer, Marcos Ramirez, also caught the attention of netizens. Through a video post on his Instagram Story, the 24-year-old rider shared a moment when he woke up at dawn.

Ramirez seemed confused by the sound of sholawat tarhim echoing in the mosque area of the Mandalika Circuit. Although a bit confused, Ramirez admitted to enjoying the sound of sholawat.

"Life in Indonesia. At five in the morning," said Marcos Ramirez when he heard the Sholawat Tarhim with a tired face.

Sholawat Tarhim has become a tradition that often occurs in Indonesia before the call to dawn prayer. Usually, sholawat tarhim is recited so that Muslims can prepare themselves to perform the dawn prayer. However, this may be the first time Marcos Ramirez has experienced it.

7. Trying Out Riding 3 on a Motorcycle Like Indonesians

Photo Credit: Instagram/joshwhatley70

A hilarious moment was also shown by the young trio of racers, Josh Whatley, Zonta van den Goorbergh, and Barry Baltus. Through Josh's IG Story video post, the three were caught trying out one of Indonesia's unique traditions that they had never experienced before.

Yes, Josh, Zonta, and Barry rode a motorcycle and rode 3 people. Not only that, they didn't even wear helmets. Instead of being criticized, their actions made netizens tickled. Hopefully they won't get fined before the race starts :)

(kpl/gtr)