Mandalika Test Begins, Alex Rins First MotoGP Racer to Try New Circuit

 Pertamina Mandalika's inaugural MotoGP test officially started Friday morning (11/2) at 10 am local time. Alex Rins, a Suzuki Ecstar rider, is the first MotoGP racer to enter this circuit. 

Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) managed to be the fastest in the inauguration session. On the first day of testing, red flags were immediately raised because the circuit was too wet and dirty.

Alex Rins

Alex Rins, racer number 42 started the session with wet tires. This was done because the weather at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, Lombok, had been raining since before the training started. In the early session, Rins successfully gushed the 2022 Suzuki GSX-RR, recording the best time of 1 minute 45.21 seconds. As he became more familiar with the track, he also managed to improve his time to the level of 1 minute 33.662 seconds and became the sixth fastest. These results are still likely to be even better if the exercise is done in dry (and clean) circuit conditions.

In harmony with his teammate, Joan Mir (36) also carved a pretty good performance. From a time of 1 minute 48.552 seconds in the first session, Mir managed to record a positive development with 1 minute 33.635 seconds at the close of the session at 4 pm. He also managed to be the fourth fastest in the session. This 1-time MotoGP world champion has a great chance to achieve similar results to the 2020 season.

What is interesting is Marc Marquez. This old rider from Repsol Honda succeeded in being the fastest in the 2 o'clock session.

The 6-time world champion of the MotoGP event managed to find his rhythm. Whereas last season, after an injury at the beginning of 2020 and missing the whole season, he could only finish in 7th place in the 2021 season. With positive results on the first day of testing Mandalika, it is a good indicator that 2022 is the year he returns to his best performance in MotoGP.

Wet (and Dirty) Tracks

Yes, this inaugural test started in wet conditions (wet session) but got worse due to dirt which eventually endangered the riders. I don't know where the dirt came from, but it doesn't seem to hinder the racers' efforts to find maximum performance at this new circuit.

The upload of the racers is also an interesting thing. For example, the Suzuki Ecstar team, via their official Instagram account @suzukimotogp, showed Joan Mir who looked filthy with dirt with the caption "Joan 'Muddy' Mir." Not only the seats, the Suzuki GSX-RR is also dirty like it's been through a non-asphalt track. 

A more dramatic thing was uploaded by Joan Lacueva through the account @joanlacueva, personal assistant to Aleix Espargaro, Aprillia Racing racer. Joan shows the action of a racer on a speeding circuit while lifting dust on the asphalt. This is certainly very dangerous for the racers who have to accelerate to 350 kph. No wonder he marked it with the words "Dakar."

Pertamina Mandalika GP is one of the test vehicles before the season starts (pre-season test). Together with Sepang (Malaysia), Indonesia is the second country scheduled by MotoGP organizers as an official test. Testing at Mandalika starts today (11 February and ends 13 February). Later, the racing season will be officially opened in Qatar on March 6, and then continue to series 2 in Mandalika. In total, there are 21 circuits that will become a fast-paced competition for motorcycle manufacturers this year.