Palembang Welcome MXGP.
The 11th Round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship is about to start in Palembang, but before the MXGP of Indonesia kicks off, the Governor of South Sumatra hosted an opening ‚Meet and Greet‘ this evening to welcome the MXGP Paddock to this beautiful country and officially open the event.
The event was held at the Griya Agung, the ‘Great Residence’ of the Governor of South Sumatra Bepak H.Herman Deru, S.H., M.M. where special guests Youthstream CEO David Luongo, FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela, Youthstream COO Daniele Rizzi, Youthstream Director Didier Henriod and General Secretary of South Sumatra Government Nasrun Umar were invited on stage to share their pleasure to have MXGP again in Indonesia and for the first time in this beautiful area.
Youthstream CEO David Luongo: “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, it’s a great honor for us to be here in PaIembang for the MXGP of Indonesia and tonight we are proud to be in the house of the Governor for what it is such a warm welcome for the MXGP family. It’s always a big pleasure to come to this country. It’s been the third year now and the atmosphere is always stellar. I’d like to thank the Governor of South Sumatra, the IMI and the local organizer for the big effort they put in the Organization of this event and wish the best to all riders for the weekend.”
FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela: “Good evening everybody, first of all I would like to thank the Governor for this warm welcome. On behalf of the FIM I would like to welcome you to the MXGP of Indonesia and I would use this occasion to thank our partners at Youthstream for the excellent work carried out during the last two months in order to have a fantastic motocross venue with a magnificent track. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the local Organizer and the Indonesian Federation for putting in place all the necessary manpower and facilities to have the professional level of preparation an MXGP requires. I wish you all the best for the weekend.”
General Secretary of South Sumatra Government Nasrun Umar: “On behalf of the Governor of South Sumatra I wish to welcome all of you to theGriya Agung tonight. I use this occasion to express my satisfaction to have MXGP here in Palembang this year and I wish it’s not going to be the last time in South Sumatra. This area is very keen on hosting international events and we are looking forward for a beautiful weekend for riders and other guests alike.”
Following the words from the delegates all the riders including Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Tom Vialle, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass and Arminas Jasikonis, Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha’s Gautier Paulin and Arnaud Tonus, F&H Kawasaki’s Henry Jacobi and Adam Sterry, Honda Red Moto Assomotor’s Mathys Boisrame and Brent Van doninck and Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee’s Bas Vaessen, Standing Construct KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff and Ivo Monticelli joined the official representatives of Youthstream, FIM, local politicians, presenters and dancers for the official family photos.
Official Representatives and the MXGP Paddock were then treated to a cultural experience including traditional dance and live music for the whole event before a typical Indonesian dinner was offered to the MXGP guests. Following the dinner a typical TANGAI delighted the participants. The Tangai dance is a special show reserved for very special events in Indonesia where dancers wear golden dresses and give special presents to the officials including a taste of the Indonesian delicacy made with bitter ginger.
The great atmosphere at today’s welcome event showed the expectation for what is bound to be an amazing MXGP of Indonesia.
Text/Bild: Youthstream