Although the racing atmosphere at the Mandalika Circuit yesterday was less conducive, the riders still gave praise to the organizers. The riders flooded the Mandalika Circuit with praise, after Race 2 of the 2021 WorldSBK Indonesia was held on Sunday, (21/11) last weekend.
The majority of riders have already praised the location and the layout of the circuit named Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit before the 2021 WorldSBK Indonesia takes place.
However, praise was returned after Race 2 of WorldSBK Indonesia which was held in rainy conditions or wet race.
Despite some criticism, the drivers in the front six positions in Race 2 were equally complimentary of the Mandalika circuit in the wet conditions.
Take Kawasaki Racing Team rider Jonathan Rea, who took down the double winner or a double win at WorldSBK Indonesia 2021.
"Honestly, the Mandalika circuit has phenomenal grip in wet conditions," Rea said as posted on GridOto.com, (21/11/2021).
"In fact, one of the best traction in the world (in wet conditions)," he added.
Michael van der Mark of the BMW Motorrad team also showed his admiration for the WorldSBK rider of Indonesian descent.Michael van der Mark finished sixth in Race 1 of the 2021 WorldSBK Indonesia which was held in dry conditions, but managed to climb the third podium in Race 2 in wet conditions.
"My bike is not as fast when the track is dry, but when wet race I can perform better," said Michael van der Mark.
"What amazes me is that on a wet track the grip of the bike is better than in race 1 when dry raceIt's a good thing," added the Indonesian racer.
Even with his teammate, Tom Sykes, who admitted that he was surprised by the level of the grip that the Mandalika Circuit asphalt can provide in wet conditions.
"The grip that this circuit can provide in rainy conditions makes the wet race It's even more fun for the riders," said the Scotsman.
"I think you'll get the same answer from all the riders who raced today," added Sykes.
This was also agreed by Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) who added that layout The Mandalika circuit is a pleasure to ride.
"I really like layout This circuit, and of course I hope they (WorldSBK) will keep this circuit next year," said Bautista.
However, it wasn't all praise, as Bautista and the other riders offered suggestions and criticisms for the circuit, which is managed by PT Indonesian Tourism Development (ITDC).
For example, almost all riders thought that the water drainage system at the Mandalika circuit could still be better.
"This track must improve their drainage system, because in some places there is still water standing on the track," said Bautista.
"But in other places it can also be like this if it is hit by heavy rain at such a short time, so this problem is not 100 percent from the circuit alone," he added.
"Maybe the drainage should be improved because even though the rain is no longer heavy, there are still a lot of puddles, especially in the area of run-off which is quite deep," said Jonathan Rea.
"Or at least move the race earlier, because every 3pm this place always seems to get heavy rain at the end of the year," Rea suggests.
Even so, Rea still gives great appreciation to the event organizer, MGPA, for the implementation of WorldSBK Indonesia 2021.
"They've done a great job, I saw a picture of this place four weeks ago and it looks like it's not finished yet," Rea said.
"But they were able to stay prepared and successfully organize a world-class event, so congratulations to all the organizing team, it was a great experience," he concluded.
The appreciation from the WorldSBK riders is certainly a good thing for the circuit in Lombok, NTB.
Hopefully this appreciation will make ITDC and MGPA eager to overcome criticism and finalize preparations to host MotoGP in March 2022.
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