Ahead of the Grand Prix weekend in Indonesia, MotoGP stars Pedro Acosta and Jorge Martín competed in a race using traditional Indonesian motorised becak. The challenge sets the stage for the Indonesian Grand Prix, which will be held from 27–29 September 2024 at the Mandalika International Street Circuit.

Pedal To The Metal

Racing the motorised becak for the MotoGP star rookie and championship leader wasn’t just about speed. The riders had to stop at small local warung (food vendor) to collect ingredients, assisting chefs in preparing plecing kangkung, a traditional Lombok dish.

As the race unfolded, riders dashed to collect ingredients from the warung which then had to be transported quickly but steadily to the chefs awaiting. Other challenges included straight up drag race, manoeuvring the transportation vehicle around series of obstacles and trying to blend in via local challenges.

Beyond The Becak

The young Spaniard Pedro Acosta was keen to jump on the off-road challenge. “It was always going be a dramatic race. Normally I like this type of races and this challenge but I don’t get a lot off off-road riding. It was very fun to do it together – we also had the opportunity to block each other and be cheeky.”

After winning the Indonesian becak challenge, the rookie was eager to repeat the success on the Mandalika circuit during the weekend. “I will try to beat him also on Saturday and Sunday but I know it will be more difficult. I will use the same mentality down here – don’t risk, don’t win.”

“You know, I’m always very competitive, but unfortunately for this one he beat me. But yeah it was a lot of fun and I was sure at the beginning that this bike would be a challenge,” said the current championship leader Jorge Martín. “I was trying even to block Pedro, but he didn’t care, and he was pushing my bike out – this was my favourite part.”

Eyes On The Big Win

He may not have won the becak race but Jorge Martín currently leads the MotoGP championship with 341 points. Rookie Pedro Acosta is also aiming to improve on his 6th in his first year of racing the top class of motorcycle racing.

Watch Pedro Acosta and Jorge Martin complete a series of challenges in Indonesian becak here.

(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)