Valentino Rossi “Shakes” Mandalika with VR46 2026 Program

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi returned to Indonesia on Wednesday (January 28) to lead a high-profile programme at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia, as part of the exclusive Mandalika VR46 Experience 2026 initiative.

Rossi’s presence at Mandalika goes well beyond a ceremonial appearance. From early morning, he directly oversaw a closed track day session involving elite riders from the VR46 Riders Academy, underlining the technical and developmental focus of the programme ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season.

Leading a Track Day with VR46 Elite Riders

Several world-class MotoGP riders took to the Mandalika circuit during the session, including Francesco Bagnaia, Franco Morbidelli, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Marco Bezzecchi, and Luca Marini.

Rossi was heavily involved throughout the day, spending significant time in the paddock delivering technical guidance related to racing lines, braking references, and corner-entry approach across Mandalika’s key sectors. He also completed laps of the circuit in a safety car to assess track conditions, grip levels, and surface consistency.

This hands-on involvement reflects the VR46 philosophy of prioritising circuit understanding, race craft, and consistency over pure one-lap performance, particularly during preparation phases outside of the competitive calendar.

Developing Indonesia’s Young Racing Talent

A central pillar of Rossi’s visit was a dedicated coaching clinic for 10 selected young Indonesian riders. The programme forms part of a broader collaboration between VR46 and Pertamina Enduro, the title sponsor of Rossi’s MotoGP racing project.

The coaching sessions focused on modern racing fundamentals, data interpretation, structured training habits, and the mental discipline required to progress to international competition. Rossi personally interacted with the young riders, sharing insights drawn from his extensive experience at the highest level of motorcycle racing.

“Indonesia has always had a special place in my heart. Seeing the passion of the fans and the potential of young riders here, I want to share some experience to help them take the next step toward international racing,” Rossi said during a brief media session at the Mandalika Royal Box.

The initiative reinforces VR46’s long-term vision of expanding its talent pipeline beyond Europe, with Southeast Asia identified as a key growth region for future MotoGP prospects.

Mandalika’s Growing Role in MotoGP Development

The selection of Mandalika as the venue for the VR46 Experience further underlines the circuit’s rising importance within the MotoGP ecosystem. With its combination of high-speed sections and technical corners, Mandalika provides a demanding test environment suitable for both elite riders and developing talents.

For Rossi and the VR46 organisation, training at Mandalika offers a contrasting racing context to European circuits while strengthening MotoGP’s connection with the Asian market, which continues to play an increasingly significant role in the championship’s global strategy.

Next Steps Ahead of Sepang Testing

Rossi is scheduled to remain in Lombok until January 30, 2026, to complete the full VR46 programme. Following the Indonesian leg of the project, Rossi and the VR46 Riders Academy group will travel directly to Malaysia to prepare for the official MotoGP pre-season test at Sepang.

That test will represent a crucial phase in finalising technical preparations for the 2026 season, with Rossi continuing to play a central role in guiding and evaluating the development of his riders ahead of the opening round.

Local circuit officials have urged fans to respect safety and access restrictions around the venue, noting that the track sessions are semi-closed to ensure rider security and smooth execution of the training programme.