Jakarta –
The Mandalika Circuit has certainly been removed from the 2024 WSBK calendar. Team HRC racer, Xavi Vierge, feels sad that he will not be able to race at the Mandalika Circuit next year. On the other hand, Xavi’s colleague, Iker Lecuona, considered that the WSBK audience in Mandalika was very busy and enthusiastic.
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) racers from the WSBK and MXGP racing events visited Indonesia, Wednesday (29/11/2023). They were exclusively invited by Motul Indonesia Energy. The four HRC riders present in Jakarta consisted of Rubén Fernández and Tim Gajser (MXGP), as well as Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge who competed in WSBK.
The arrival of two HRC WSBK racers to Indonesia is certainly a highlight. The problem is that the name Mandalika Circuit is not on the 2024 WSBK calendar which was released some time ago. Xavi admitted that he was sad because next season he would not be able to race in Mandalika.
“One of the best things (when racing in Indonesia) is of course the support from the community. Even though we are from another country, most of the supporters we have come from here, from Indonesia,” said Xavi.
“Of course the worst is that next year we won’t come (to the Mandalika Circuit). So, I’m very sad about that. But I’m sure we can return soon (to the Mandalika Circuit),” he added.
Meanwhile, Lecuona hopes that the Mandalika Circuit can still hold WSBK races next season. Because according to Lecuona, the audience in Indonesia is very enthusiastic and enthusiastic.
“You can see here, that everyone in Indonesia loves motorbikes and racing. Even in Superbike, many people come to watch us. So, that’s very good,” said Lecuona on the same occasion.
“I am very happy to be able to race here. I hope that next year there will be another (WSBK) here,” continued the MotoGP graduate.
Mandalika Circuit removed from 2024 WSBK calendar Photo: ANTARA FOTO/M Agung Rajasa
Iker Lecuona’s opinion is certainly reasonable. Because if you look at the data, the number of WSBK Mandalika viewers continues to increase every year. At the WSBK event in 2021, the atmosphere is still a pandemic, so the number of spectators is limited to 25,000 people.
Then at the 2022 WSBK Mandalika event, the number of spectators on the circuit increased rapidly to 51,629 people. Continuing at the 2023 WSBK Mandalika event, the number of spectators also increased to 59,251 people.
As previously reported, the Mandalika Circuit is not on the 2024 WSBK calendar. The reason for the cancellation of the 2024 WSBK Mandalika is thought to be due to the large costs hosting fee which the government must pay to Dorna Sports.
“For WSBK it might be around Rp. 100 billion. Yes, around that much. So the government decided not to hold it, maybe yes,” said Mandalika Circuit Field Commander and Head of the West Nusa Tenggara Tourism Service (Dispar NTB) Jamaluddin Malady, quoted from detikBali.
Amount of value hosting fee That is still the policy of the central government with Dorna Sports. Moreover, said Jamal, in 2024 Indonesia will hold a democracy party. So, much of the state budget will be absorbed in future election activities.
“Because we know that in February 2024, the democratic party, namely the election, will be held. This may cause the central government, in this case, for 2024 WSBK to be temporarily abolished,” he said.
Watch the video “WSBK will be removed from the Mandalika Circuit because it causes losses”
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2023-11-29 12:40:56
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