Motorcyle-mad Indonesia revs up for first GP in 25 years

JAKARTA: Indonesia hosts its first motorcycle grand prix in 25 years on Sunday (Mar 20), confident that concerns surrounding the new track will be forgotten once racing begins in front of a sell-out crowd.

The archipelago nation of 270 million people is motorbike mad - many get around on two wheels - and there is a palpable sense of excitement at the prospect of world-class racing returning.

Even President Joko Widodo is a fan and tried out the Mandalika International Street Circuit when he officially opened it in November, having a go on a custom-made green Kawasaki bike.

Sunday's race is the second stop on the 2022 MotoGP calendar after the opening race in Qatar two weeks ago, won by Enea Bastianini of Italy.

The new 4.3km circuit hugs white-sanded coastline on the island of Lombok, which wants to rival its better-known neighbour, Bali, as a tropical holiday destination. The track complex is part of those ambitions.

There is great anticipation, but also angst and anger - the circuit is part of a mega-tourism infrastructure project denounced by the United Nations over the eviction of families. Some refused to leave and were still encamped at the track in November.

When the track hosted a World Superbike race that same month there were concerns about the track surface.

Riders during MotoGP testing in February made similar complaints, saying the track was dirty and breaking up dangerously, with debris and stones flying into them like bullets.

Turn one was of particular concern. World champion Fabio Quartararo reportedly called it "a total disaster".

Organisers dismissed those fears as teething problems, carried out urgent resurfacing in places and are confident the track is now in tip-top condition.

"The condition that must be