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Ali Adrian to represent RI at 2015 Moto2 European C'ship
Rider Ali Adrian will represent Indonesia at the Moto2 European Championship event, part of the 2015 FIM CEV Spanish Road Racing Championship, riding a 650cc bike
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R
ider Ali Adrian will represent Indonesia at the Moto2 European Championship event, part of the 2015 FIM CEV Spanish Road Racing Championship, riding a 650cc bike.
The 21-year-old Adrian has already made a name for himself on the Indonesian motorbike racing circuit, having competed in many national competitions since he was 14 years old, after first developing an interest in racing bikes when he was 3 years old.
Sponsored by state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina, Adrian will depart for Spain on Dec. 21 for training sessions with his new mentor, former Moto Grand Prix (MotoGP) racer David Garcia at his circuit in Almeria, Spain, where he will also be trained by current MotoGP champion Esteve 'Tito' Rabat.
'All of the hard work and the achievements I have notched before this opportunity were only the beginning of my dream to make history as the first Indonesian racer to ultimately compete in the Moto GP. I aim to place at least in the top five at the Moto2 race,' Adrian said confidently at a press conference at the Senayan Driving Range on Wednesday.
Adrian is the Asian first racer to be taken under Garcia's wing. In a live teleconference, Garcia praised the young racer for showing immense determination and passion for the sport, confident that Adrian would make it to the MotoGP races.
His first race will be on April 26 in Portimao, Portugal, and will be followed by races in Le Mans, France, before he enters an all-Spanish race in Barcelona, Alcaniz, Albacete, Navarra and Jerez. The last race is set to be in Valencia on Nov. 15.
Meanwhile, PT Pertamina Lubricants Sales and Marketing Director Rifky Hardijanto commented that by sponsoring Adrian, it showed the company was committed to advancing the state of Indonesian motorsports, which have been faced with difficulties such as a lack of racing circuits in Jakarta.
'Adrian's commitment to fly the Indonesian flag on an international stage makes us confident that the hidden talents of young Indonesian athletes will soon be recognized worldwide,' Rifky said.
Pertamina has previously sponsored other young racers on the international stage, such as Surakarta-born Formula One driver Rio Haryanto, who currently races for Malaysia's Caterham racing team.
Adrian is currently on a one-year contract with Pertamina and a seven-year contract under Garcia.
Other motorbike racers who have 'graduated' from racing in the CEV Motorcycle Championships include seasoned racer Dani Pedrosa and former MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner. (nvn)(++++)
