A huge celebration welcomed the riders, teams and crews of the MXGP Paddock today as Mataram, the capital city of the West Nusa Tenggara province, closed its main high street for a rider’s parade from the city’s elaborate Islamic Center to the Udayana Teras, where speeches, dances and an instrumental show impressed everybody present.

Among those in attendance, Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo and FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela were welcomed by the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara 2018-2023, Dr. H. Zulkieflimansyah S.E. M.SC, Major of the City of Mataram Dr H. Mohan Roliskana presented by H. Lalu Martawang and Drs. Tri Budi Prayitno, M.Si, Head of Youth and Sport Department West Nusa Tenggara Province after a ride to the Teras in traditional pony-drawn carts called Cidomo.

From the Islamic Center, a seriously impressive structure and the religious heart of the island of Lombok, the riders used traditional bicycles to join the parade, which was headed by traditional musicians who played Indonesian Gendang drums and a mix of percussion to lead the march! Once the musicians arrived at the Udayana Teras open area, with a tribune full of local fans keen to spot the stars of MXGP, they performed music that originated from welcoming armies returning from battle, now welcoming the MXGP warriors to the island!

After the national anthem of Indonesia, “Indonesia Raya” was played, master of ceremonies Mudji Idrus invited first Mr Luongo to the stage who expressed his pleasure in returning to Lombok for two GPs, thanking the organizer and the FIM for their support. He emphasised MXGP's goal to expand globally, highlighting Indonesia's importance for motorsport and the excitement of racing in beautiful, exotic locations. Then Mr Alia Portela thanked everyone for attending, praised the organisers and Infront for their commitment and highlighted the island's beauty and wildlife, encouraging all to enjoy the events. Finally, Dr Zulkieflimansyah addressed the crowd in Indonesian, expressing his wish for all competitors to enjoy good luck in their races over two weekends.

Riders attending the media event includedTeam HRC’s Tim Gajser and Ferruccio Zanchi, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Calvin Vlaanderen and Andrea Bonacorsi, Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jeremy Seewer, De Baets Yamaha’s Benoit Paturel, Team Leoparden Racing’s Magnus Ambjornsson, JK Racing Yamaha’s Isak Gifting, Schmicker Racing’s Cornelius Toendel, Bike It MTX Kawasaki’s Jack Chambers, Ship to Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz’s Valentin Guillod and Kevin Horgmo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Andrea Adamo, Liam Everts and Sacha Coenen, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini, Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen, Fantic Factory Racing MX2’s David Braceras and Kay Karssemakers, F&H Racing Team's Quentin Prugieres, WZ Racing Team's Oriol Oliver, Monster Energy Triumph Racing’s Mikkel Haarup and Camden McLellan, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Rick Elzinga and Karlis Reisulis, TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team’s Jan Pancar, and also local hero JM Racing Astra Honda’s Delvintor Alfarizi. while legends like Jacky Martens and Joël Smets were also present to this special event.

Gajser, Seewer and Everts accepted the invitation to join the dignitaries on stage and received a traditional Lombok headpiece, given as a symbol of peaceful intentions.Then the audience were treated to a performance of the Legend of the Princess of Mandalika, a story of restoring piece from conflict through self-sacrifice, told through a stunning traditional dance performance.

Finally, all riders, team personnel and every local fan present assembled on the steps of the tribune for a mass family photo, proudly showing the symbol of the “L” for Lombok!

After such a warm welcome, everybody is ready to begin the first event, the MXGP of West Nusa Tenggara, tomorrow morning from 09:15 local time with the MX2 Start Practice.

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (LOCAL TIME GMT+8)

SATURDAY: 09:15 MX2 Start Practice, 09:45 MXGP Start Practice, 10:45 MX2 Free Practice, 11:15 MXGP Free Practice, 13:20 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 15:15 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 16:00 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.