News Summary
- A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Lombok early Wednesday, two days before MotoGP track activity begins at Mandalika
- The earthquake was felt across the island, including Central Lombok, but authorities reported no tsunami threat
- Indonesian emergency authorities were already preparing specific earthquake and tsunami evacuation procedures for the MotoGP weekend
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Lombok early Wednesday morning, two days before the Indonesian MotoGP weekend begins at Mandalika.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded the earthquake at 04:15 WITA on October 7, with its epicentre on land approximately 9km southeast of West Lombok and at a depth of 92km. The agency confirmed that the earthquake did not have the potential to generate a tsunami.
The tremor was felt across several areas of the island, reaching intensity IV-V in Mataram and III-IV in Central Lombok, the regency where the Mandalika International Circuit is located. It was also felt in Kuta and as far away as Denpasar in Bali.
Members of the MotoGP paddock had already arrived on Lombok following last weekend’s Japanese GP at Motegi and reported feeling the earthquake. No casualties or material damage have been reported in connection with the tremor.
Indonesian MotoGP remains scheduled as planned
There is currently no indication that the earthquake will affect the Indonesian GP schedule.
MotoGP activity at Mandalika begins Friday, October 9, with FP1 at 10:45 local time followed by Practice at 15:00. Qualifying and the sprint take place Saturday before Sunday’s Grand Prix, also at 15:00.
The championship’s equipment is already at the circuit. Approximately 428.8 tonnes of MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 freight arrived in Lombok from Japan aboard five charter flights, with the cargo transferred to Mandalika early Tuesday morning.
Fans can find the complete Indonesian MotoGP schedule, start times and how to watch ahead of the weekend.
Mandalika already has earthquake and tsunami contingency plan
The timing of Wednesday’s earthquake coincides with preparations specifically designed to deal with seismic emergencies during the MotoGP weekend.
West Nusa Tenggara’s disaster management agency (BPBD) held a Tactical Floor Game on Wednesday to coordinate emergency procedures between authorities. The exercise covered communication, evacuation routes, assembly points and the mobilisation of personnel in the event of an emergency, with earthquake and tsunami response specifically included in the preparations.
The preparations began before Wednesday’s earthquake. A coordination meeting on September 29 brought together a contingency operation involving 541 personnel from organisations including BPBD, BMKG, police, military, search-and-rescue services and volunteers.
Under the plan, an earthquake above magnitude 6.0 would trigger an early-warning procedure designed to direct spectators from the grandstands towards designated evacuation points if there were a potential tsunami threat. A field simulation at Mandalika is scheduled for Thursday, October 8.
Wednesday’s magnitude 5.2 earthquake did not meet that threshold and BMKG issued no tsunami warning.
MotoGP paddock prepares for crucial Mandalika weekend
The earthquake comes immediately before one of the most important rounds of the 2026 season.
Jorge Martín arrives at Mandalika with 333 points, only two ahead of Marc Márquez on 331, after the Ducati rider won both the sprint and Japanese GP at Motegi.
The Indonesian circuit also presents an unusual historical challenge for Márquez. The Spaniard has never finished a Sunday MotoGP race at Mandalika, while Martín won there during his 2024 championship season.
Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has already acknowledged that the manufacturer would consider Márquez losing 10-12 points to Martín an acceptable outcome because of Aprilia’s expected strength in Indonesia.
The event remains scheduled to begin normally on Friday.
GRANDE PRÊMIO provides full coverage of the MotoGP season throughout the Indonesian GP weekend.
MotoGP today: FAQ
Who leads the 2026 MotoGP championship?
Jorge Martín leads the 2026 MotoGP World Championship with 333 points, just two ahead of Marc Márquez on 331. The gap was reduced at Motegi, where Márquez won both the sprint and Japanese GP.
What time is the Indonesian MotoGP at Mandalika?
The Indonesian GP starts at 15:00 local time on Sunday, October 11. That is 08:00 in the UK, 03:00 ET in the US and Canada and 12:30 in India. Saturday’s sprint also starts at 15:00 local time.
Has Marc Márquez ever won at Mandalika?
No. Márquez has never won or even finished the Sunday MotoGP race at Mandalika. His previous Indonesian GPs have been affected by crashes, injury and mechanical trouble. He arrives in 2026 only two points behind Martín.
How strong was the earthquake in Lombok?
BMKG recorded a magnitude 5.2 earthquake at 04:15 local time on Wednesday, October 7. Its epicentre was on land southeast of West Lombok at a depth of 92km.
