JAKARTA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The 15th Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) kicked off on Friday at the Mandalika International Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province, Indonesia, with the opening day featuring a free practice session.
The highly anticipated international event has brought together the world's top motorcycle racers, including Jorge Martin, Francesco Bagnaia, and Marc Marquez, competing in a thrilling race set to run through Sunday.
Samsul Purba, deputy general manager of the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA), stated that 70,000 of the 125,000 available tickets have been sold, with the audience expected to increase as the final day approaches.
"We are glad to see people eager to get tickets. The first day may record 20 percent of the total audience, but by Sunday, we expect to see 95 percent in attendance," Purba said.
Mandalika, a special economic zone located in the southern part of Lombok, is hosting the international race from September 27 to 29. The 2.68-mile (approximately 4.3 km) circuit, featuring 17 corners, also showcases various Mandalika tourism spots. ■
