Emergency resurfacing ahead of 2022 Mandalika MotoGP event

As suspected, problems during the inaugural Mandalika MotoGP test have forced last-minute resurfacing to be carried out ahead for next month's Indonesian race weekend.

Aside from a very dirty surface, many riders spoke of being peppered by painful small stones as the asphalt apparently began to break up in some areas.

"Especially I think from Turn 1 to Turn 7, the tarmac is going away [breaking up]," said world champion Fabio Quartararo.

"But I think for the race, they [especially] need to resurface Turn 1, because it's a total disaster there. In three days, you can see the amount of ground that is coming lower and lower.

"For me the track [layout] is safe, just this big problem of the tarmac going [breaking] away."

The damaged surface had prompted rumours that the Indonesian race weekend, scheduled for March 18-20, might even need to be postponed.

Fortunately, MotoGP has announced that the emergency repairs will be completed in time for the event, when the Moto2 and Moto3 classes will also be present.

'….During the test, two areas of improvement were identified, which are the cleanliness of the track surface and the excess of aggregate affecting parts of the circuit,' read a statement from Dorna.

'The FIM, which oversees track homologation, has been in communication with the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) regarding these necessary improvements, which are to be implemented a minimum of seven days before the inaugural Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia.

'Circuit owner ITDC has agreed with the FIM’s assessment and requests, demonstrating their high level of support and commitment to the sport. All parties have reacted quickly and work towards these improvements is already underway, including the resurfacing of part of the track.

'The circuit will be resurfaced from the section before Turn 17 [final corner] until after Turn 5. The venue will also prepare for the Grand Prix by employing world leading technology to ensure the entirety of the surface meets MotoGP standards.

'…All parties would also like to assure our Indonesian fans, and all those around the world, that the 2022 Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia will take place on the planned date, and MotoGP is very much looking forward to returning to Lombok.'

The resurfacing means that Michelin's tyre data from the test will now be out of date for at least part of the track.

Mandalika's only major event prior to the MotoGP test was a (partly wet) WorldSBK weekend, last November.