Jakarta, June 19 -- Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir stated that the 2026 Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia MotoGP in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), can strengthen world-class sports tourism.

"The Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, or Indonesia MotoGP, is not merely a sporting event but also a momentum to strengthen Indonesia's nation branding and reinforce the position of Mandalika, Lombok, and NTB as world-class sports tourism destinations," Thohir said in his official statement here on Friday.

He reaffirmed the government's full support for the Indonesia MotoGP series, which will be held for the fifth time this year.

According to him, in previous editions, the motorcycle racing event held at the Mandalika International C...