Miguel Oliveira dominates in Indonesia, Fabio Quartararo follows home in second

After a relatively sedate first round of the year, MotoGP fans were treated to an absolutely dramatic turn of events this weekend. The MotoGP paddock returned to Indonesia for the first time in 25 years at the new Mandalika Bay Circuit. The second weekend of the MotoGP season almost looked like a washout, with the Mandalika Circuit being battered by rain. After a delay of more than one hour, and shenanigans including a shaman who prayed to alleviate the rain, the race finally started with the lap count reduced from 27 to 20 laps. With every single rider starting on the medium front and rear wet tires, KTM’s Miguel Oliveira jumped the field, starting from seventh on the grid and leading by lap five to dominate proceedings with an emphatic win after a tough season last year for both the rider and the team. He was given chase by the Ducatis of both Jack Miller and Johann Zarco before pulling clear of the pack. Reigning champion and polesitter Fabio Quartararo finished second astride his Yamaha, looking comfortable in the slippery conditions where his Yamaha’s top speed issues were not as important as in other races. Johann Zarco finished on the podium on his Pramac Ducati ahead of Jack Miller on the factory Ducati and the two Suzukis of Alex Rins and Joan Mir. Marc Marquez had suffered a crash in qualifying which rendered him medically out of the race. Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, the other Ducati stars also had races to forget, as they crashed out and never recovered. Enea Bastianini still holds the championship lead after his win in the first race of the season. Next we move to Argentina in two weeks’ time at the Termas de Río Hondo on the 3rd of April. For more news and stories from the world of MotoGP, stay tuned to Fast Bikes India!