The Indonesian Grand Prix takes place at the Mandalika International Street Circuit on Lombok, Indonesia. The MotoGP race is scheduled for October 4, 2025, as part of the race day programme following Sunday’s Sprint and warm-up sessions. Media and broadcasters plan the After the Flag studio coverage immediately following the checkered flag, to analyze the race outcome and dissect key moments.
One of the biggest storylines entering the weekend is the absence of Jorge Martín, who underwent surgery on a displaced right collarbone fracture sustained during the Japan Sprint. He will not participate in the Indonesian GP and is not being replaced for this round. Another withdrawal: Maverick Viñales pulled out of the weekend due to a lingering left shoulder issue, adding to the list of absentees. Also, the public line-up for the grid shows 19 riders after these withdrawals.
Ahead of the race, speculation focused on tyre life management and stint pacing, particularly with Mandalika’s abrasive surface and tropical conditions. Observers expected riders to avoid aggressive early attack modes and instead conserve rear grip to avoid late drop-off. Some teams were reportedly ready to gamble on alternative tyre strategies or different cross-laps in the middle section, depending on race evolution. Qualifying position and clean starts were also emphasized as especially crucial given limited overtaking zones.
In the racing press, much attention was given to Marco Bezzecchi’s pole lap, where he broke the lap record to claim top spot at Mandalika. Many commentators framed the race as more open than usual because Martín’s absence removes a key contender. Media outlets named Bezzecchi, Marc Márquez, Pedro Acosta, and Fermin Aldeguer as likely protagonists. The layout’s risks were also highlighted: limited run-off and tight corners were flagged as places where errors could be punished.
In televised pre-race and After the Flag studio segments, analysts generally favored Bezzecchi as a frontrunner due to his qualifying pace, but repeatedly cautioned over tyre wear and race rhythm as potential equalizers. Some pundits viewed Márquez as a dark horse, especially given how the grid has shuffled and the field is compressed. Others predicted that a surprise contender or mid-pack rider might disrupt the usual order via smart pacing or a clever late surge. The consensus was that race execution would matter more than outright speed, and that the absence of Martín could shift tactical emphasis to Bezzecchi’s ability to retain composure under pressure.
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