Welcome to the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok |

At the top of the hill, part of the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit is visible.

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The 2025 MotoGP world champion is already known: Marc Marquez, who secured the crown at the Motegi Grand Prix in Japan on Sunday, September 28, 2025. However, that doesn't mean the remaining grands prix won't be exciting.

The Mandalika MotoGP is evident, garnering enthusiasm from spectators worldwide and racers alike. There are still many goals to be achieved, both by racers, constructors, and organizers.

As I write this post, Saturday (October 4, 2025) at 6:00 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time), the sprint race results are already known. Aprilia Racing's Marco Bezzecchi secured pole position, while Marc Marquez had to start sixth.

On my way to Mandalika in August 2024, I was offered a travel agent to watch MotoGP live. Because I knew him, he offered me a special discounted price. But I declined. It wasn't because I wasn't interested, but because the plane ticket price was prohibitively expensive.

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To travel from Kuala Namu Airport in North Sumatra to Mandalika with a transit in Jakarta, the plane ticket costs no less than IDR 7.5 million. That's not including the overland journey from Lhokseumawe, meals, and accommodations. If you want to watch MotoGP, you'll need to add another ticket. It'll probably cost at least IDR 10 million, or the equivalent of 5,000 #steem.

Imagine how many posts you'll need and how many months it will take to accumulate 5,000 #steem.

The high price of plane tickets is indeed one reason why watching MotoGP in Sepang is a popular choice. A friend of mine in Bireuen, Tarmizi, also known as Meiji, admitted to having watched MotoGP in Sepang for only IDR 5 million.

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"That includes round-trip airfare from Aceh to Malaysia, a two-day ticket to watch the race, meals, and a hotel. I actually brought around IDR 10 million just in case," he said.

He added that from Kuala Lumpur Airport, a free bus will take spectators directly to Sepang. "We just have to show our tickets," said Tarmizi, who admitted he wanted to watch MotoGP in Sepang again.

The much cheaper ticket price from Banda Aceh to Kuala Lumpur is indeed an option. The flight time is also shorter, around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Compare that to watching from Mandalika, which requires a 3-hour flight to Jakarta and 2 hours to Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

For automotive fans in Aceh, the choice to watch the race abroad is not a matter of nationalism, but rather a matter of efficiency, both in terms of cost and time.

That's why my friends and I chose to just explore the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit when we visited. We toured the circuit, bought hats and t-shirts, and enjoyed the sunset on the hilltop above the circuit.

During the race, access to this hill is closed, preventing residents from using it to watch. However, there are other access points that residents regularly use, as often seen on live broadcasts of the Mandalika MotoGP.

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At the Mandalika circuit mark, before entering the arena.

Style with MotoGP, but not on the circuit, but at Lombok airport.

With Mahfuzal, my best friend.

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https://steematlas.com/
[//]:# (!steematlas -8.8997419 lat 116.3051033 long Mandalika Circuit d3scr)

Address: Kuta, Pujut District, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia 83573
Capacity: 195,700
Opening: November 12, 2021
Architect: Mrk1 Consulting Populous
Management: Mandalika Grand Prix Association
Province: West Nusa Tenggara

Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n5S6qzgu9zJx4P5d7

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First time posing at the top of the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit.