Indonesian Young Riders Shine on Home Soil: A Comprehensive Review of the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup (IM4AC) 2026 at Mandalika

Jakarta – The roaring sounds of high-performance engines echoed across the stunning landscape of the Mandalika International Street Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), as Indonesia’s next generation of motorsport talents delivered breathtaking performances on the international stage. Competing in the fiercely contested Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup (IM4AC) 2026, young Indonesian riders proudly hoisted the nation’s flag by securing podium finishes and displaying immense grit, tactical maturity, and unyielding resilience.

Among the standout performers were Bintang Pranata Sukma and Resky Yusuf Hermawan, two rising stars nurtured under the rigorous training ecosystem of Astra Honda Motor (AHM). Their achievements on home turf not only electrified local motorsport enthusiasts but also underscored the effectiveness of structured youth development programs in shaping world-class riders from Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

Main Facts: Dominance, Resilience, and Podium Glory at Mandalika

The IM4AC 2026 weekend at Mandalika was nothing short of a roller coaster of emotions, dramatic overtaking maneuvers, and razor-thin margins at the finish line. From the opening practice sessions, the Indonesian contingent signaled their intent to dominate their home Grand Prix.

Bintang Pranata Sukma set the tone early during the qualifying sessions, showcasing blistering pace and exceptional machine control. Clocking a remarkable lap time of 1 minute 42.492 seconds, Bintang secured a coveted pole position, placing him at the absolute front of the grid for the weekend’s encounters.

He was joined near the front by fellow AHM prodigy Resky Yusuf, who clinched a strong fourth position on the starting grid. The depth of Indonesia’s young talent pool was further highlighted by Muh Badly Ayatullah, who qualified in sixth place, and Maulana Malik, who slotted into eighth. Meanwhile, local hopes were bolstered by two wildcard entries, Abimanyu Fermadi and Valera Octavianuz, who bravely forced their way through the fiercely competitive grid to secure the 14th and 18th starting positions, respectively.

Over the course of the two intense races, these positions translated into historic performances. Bintang Pranata Sukma brilliantly converted his front-row pace into a stellar second-place finish during Saturday’s Race 1. Not to be outdone, Resky Yusuf staged a masterclass in racecraft on Sunday, fighting his way from the fourth spot on the grid to claim his maiden IM4AC podium with a sensational second-place finish in Race 2.

Chronology of the Weekend: Race 1 and Race 2 Unfolded

Saturday, October 10: The Drama of Race 1

The tension was palpable on Saturday afternoon as the riders lined up for the first official race of the weekend. As the lights went out, the front group immediately fractured into a high-speed chess match. Bintang Pranata Sukma found himself locked in a fierce, high-stakes battle for the lead alongside compatriots Badly, Malik, and Resky.

However, the chaotic nature of competitive motorcycle racing reared its head on the second lap. Following an incident on the track, race officials were forced to wave the red flag, bringing the action to an immediate halt to ensure rider safety and clear the racing line.

After a brief delay, the race was restarted as a frantic 10-sprint dash to the checkered flag. The restart amplified the urgency, with riders pushing their machines and tires to the absolute limit. Bintang, showing wisdom beyond his years, managed the tire wear and maintained his composure amidst relentless pressure from his rivals. Navigating the sweeping corners of Mandalika in the closing laps, he engaged in a nail-biting duel for the ultimate victory, ultimately crossing the finish line in a brilliant second place to secure his first podium of the weekend.

Sunday, October 11: Redemption and Tactical Battles in Race 2

If Race 1 showcased tactical management, Race 2 on Sunday was a testament to raw aggression, resilience, and tactical execution. Starting from fourth on the grid, Resky Yusuf Hermawan wasted no time establishing his presence. Displaying maturity and explosive pace, he carved his way through the lead pack with a series of breathtaking overtaking maneuvers, momentarily seizing the coveted position at the front of the race.

Though the lead changed hands multiple times in a chaotic battle, Resky held his ground to secure a magnificent second-place finish. This milestone marked the very first podium finish of his career in the IM4AC championship.

Meanwhile, Bintang Pranata Sukma—who started from pole position—ran a brilliant race that saw him lead the pack for significant stretches. Bintang also stamped his authority on the timing sheets by clocking a blistering fastest lap of 1 minute 42.271 seconds. However, the closing moments of Race 2 delivered high drama. Engaged in a desperate battle for the podium through the final corners, Bintang suffered a minor misjudgment at the final turn, forcing him slightly wide and dropping him to fourth place at the finish line.

The remaining Indonesian contingent also left everything on the track. Muh Badly Ayatullah crossed the finish line in a strong fifth position, capped off by an incredible performance that netted him the race’s fastest lap with a time of 1 minute 42.190 seconds. M. Maulana Malik Ibrahim fought valiantly to finish seventh. Among the wildcard entrants, Valera Octavianuz put in a commendable shift to finish 13th, while Abimanyu Bintang Fermadi faced heartbreak, forced to retire early and unable to complete the race.

Supporting Data: Standings and Statistics

The double-header at the Mandalika International Street Circuit has significantly shifted the landscape of the 2026 IM4AC championship standings. The relentless accumulation of points across both races has positioned the Indonesian riders comfortably within striking distance of the top tier as the season heads toward its climax.

• Bintang Pranata Sukma: Following his stellar weekend—featuring a pole position, a second-place finish in Race 1, a fastest lap in Race 2, and a fourth-place finish—Bintang now sits comfortably at 4th place in the provisional riders’ standings with a total of 89 points.
• Resky Yusuf Hermawan: Powered by his breakthrough second-place finish in Race 2, Resky has climbed to 8th place in the standings, accumulating 58 points for the season.
• Muh Badly Ayatullah: Backed by his consistent top-five finish and a scorching fastest lap, Badly holds 11th place with 54 points.
• M. Maulana Malik Ibrahim: Demonstrating consistent points-scoring abilities, Malik currently occupies 14th place with 38 points.

These statistics highlight not only the individual brilliance of the riders but also the profound depth of competitive talent cultivated within the national racing program.

Official Responses and Reflections

The euphoria of the weekend was matched by the reflective and forward-looking statements made by the young protagonists. Speaking to the press after their respective podium finishes, both Resky and Bintang expressed immense gratitude and outlined their ambitions for the remainder of the season.

Reflecting on his breakthrough performance, Resky Yusuf Hermawan shared the emotional weight of his achievement:

"In Race 2, I bounced back from the outcome of Race 1 and tried my absolute best to perform at my maximum, allowing me to secure second place. This achievement marks my very first podium appearance in this championship. Looking ahead to the upcoming series in Sepang, I am fully committed to fighting for as many points as possible and fighting for the podium once again. Thank you so much to the people of Indonesia for all your prayers and unwavering support."

Bintang Pranata Sukma, despite narrowly missing out on a double podium due to a last-lap incident, maintained an optimistic and gracious outlook:

"Race 1 went exceptionally well, and I managed to secure second place. In Race 2, everything went according to our pre-planned strategy, but an incident at the final corner caused me to run slightly wide, which unfortunately relegated me to a fourth-place finish. Thank you to all Indonesians for your continued prayers and support. I hope to deliver even better results in the upcoming series."

Industry observers and team officials echoed these sentiments, praising the psychological fortitude displayed by the teenagers under the immense pressure of racing in front of a passionate home crowd.

Implications for the Future: Onward to Sepang

The success at Mandalika carries profound implications for the trajectory of Indonesian motorsports. By proving they can consistently run at the front against elite regional competitors, these young riders are breaking down historical barriers and laying a robust foundation for future Indonesian representation in world championship classes such as Moto3, Moto2, and eventually MotoGP.

The infrastructure and continuous investment by entities like Astra Honda Motor are bearing fruit, transforming raw natural talent into technically sound, tactically astute athletes. The ability to handle high-pressure home races, recover from setbacks, and execute calculated strategies under adverse conditions signals that these teenagers possess the mental fortitude required at the highest levels of global motorsport.

With the Mandalika chapter successfully closed, the Indonesian contingent has little time to rest. The 2026 Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup caravan is now packing its gear and preparing for the penultimate challenge of the season. The riders are scheduled to travel across the Malacca Strait to contest the fifth round of the IM4AC.

The battleground will shift to the world-renowned Petronas Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, slated for November. As the championship enters its crucial final stretch, all eyes will undoubtedly remain fixed on Bintang, Resky, Badly, and Malik as they carry the hopes of a motorsport-loving nation toward the ultimate glory of championship contention.