Indonesian Heroes Mario Aji and Veda Pratama: A Long Journey to the World Stage, Coming Together in Mandalika. From training after school and overcoming injuries to sacrificing time with their families, Mario Suryo Aji and Veda Ega Pratama have embarked on a long journey to fulfill their dreams of competing in world championships and performing in front of their home crowd.
The Mandalika, October 10, 2026 – Two of Indonesia’s proudest racing talents, Mario Suryo Aji and Veda Ega Pratama, once again appeared before their home crowd as the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia 2026 took place at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, from October 9–11, 2026.
Mario’s participation in the Moto2™️ class and Veda’s in Moto3™️ forms part of a long journey that began when they were still very young. Before reaching the world racing stage, both riders went through years of dedication, including training during their school years, competing in various championships, sacrificing time with their families, and overcoming injuries and other challenges throughout their careers.
Their journeys are about more than just speed on the track. They also reflect the courage to keep moving forward despite limitations and challenges. Behind their helmets and racing suits lie childhood dreams, unwavering family support, and a determination to make Indonesia increasingly recognized around the world. This spirit makes Mario and Veda part of the Indonesian Heroes initiative, inspiring young generations to dare to dream and work hard to make those dreams come true.
Mario’s passion for racing began in childhood. His after-school routine was different from that of most children his age. While his friends went home by public transportation, Mario ran as part of a physical training routine prepared by his father.
“From first to sixth grade, I trained frequently. Whenever my father picked me up, he had already prepared my running clothes. So, after school, while everyone else took public transportation, I ran,” Mario said.
For him, motorcycles have always been something precious. However, his parents maintained strict boundaries when it came to riding. Mario was not allowed to ride a motorcycle on public roads, even when the destination was only about 200 meters from home.
“I once got scolded for riding on public roads. Even after I got my driving license, I was never allowed to ride a motorcycle on the road. Even going to Indomaret, just 200 meters away, it was difficult to get permission to ride. But on the circuit, I was free to ride,” he said.
That journey eventually brought Mario to the Moto2™️ World Championship. Despite becoming a professional rider, he says he continues to see racing as something he loves and enjoys.
“Even now, Mario still sees racing as a hobby, although he takes it more seriously. If we consider racing a job, it becomes a burden. And when it becomes a burden, we might not be able to perform well. So, even today, I still consider racing my hobby,” Mario said.
Meanwhile, Veda Ega Pratama’s journey began in motocross. The rider from Gunungkidul, Special Region of Yogyakarta, still remembers the first motorcycle his father gave him as one of his most cherished childhood memories.
From around the age of seven, Veda participated in various national motocross championships. He later transitioned to national road racing in 2018 and began competing at the Asian level in 2021.
Training also became an integral part of Veda’s life during his school years. After school, he would often head straight to Yogyakarta to practice motocross. When he transitioned to road racing, he continued training several times a week.
“Both of my parents have always supported me,” Veda said. That support has been one of the key factors in his journey to the Moto3™️ World Championship, establishing him as one of Indonesia’s young talents competing at the international level.
Overcoming Injuries and Doubts
The journey to the world racing stage has not been without challenges. Mario acknowledged that recurring injuries have been among the most difficult phases of his career.
“Almost every year, I get injured,” Mario said.
During those difficult moments, he admitted to questioning his chances of achieving his goals in racing. He usually chooses to reflect on himself first before discussing the situation with his family or others.
“For the first few days after a tough day, Mario tends to reflect on himself. Once I have a clear understanding of what happened and what needs to be improved, then I talk to other people,” he said.
Veda has also experienced moments that made him question whether he could continue his racing career.
In 2020, after being selected through a selection process to advance to the next level of competition, the COVID-19 pandemic brought his racing plans to a halt. During the same period, Veda suffered a femur fracture.
Around four months later, he suffered another injury, breaking his tibia.
“At that point, I started thinking that I might not be able to race anymore,” he recalled.
When competitions resumed, Veda managed to recover and continue his career journey until he reached the Moto3™️ World Championship. Nevertheless, he admitted that he still occasionally wonders whether he can achieve his ultimate goals.
“Of course, those questions exist, and even now I still ask myself whether I can do it,” Veda said.
“This is my dream. So, I will give it my very best, and if I can achieve it, then alhamdulillah.”
Mario and Veda’s journeys demonstrate that being Indonesian Heroes is not simply about standing on the podium or winning races. It also involves a long process filled with doubts, perseverance, and the determination to rise again, all of which have shaped them into riders capable of competing at the highest level.
The Sacrifices Behind a Racing Career
A career as a professional rider has required Mario and Veda to sacrifice a significant amount of time with their families.
Mario said that much of his time since childhood has been devoted to training and competitions. As a result, he has missed several family moments, including holiday celebrations.
“Since childhood, I have spent so much time training and staying away from home. Whenever there was a family occasion, a gathering, Eid, and other celebrations, I was away. This is already my fifth year without going home,” Mario said.
Beyond his family, he also misses his friends, the atmosphere of Indonesia, and the racing environment back home while competing overseas.
Veda has experienced similar sacrifices. His demanding schedule as a rider means he cannot experience school life and his youth in the same way as most people his age.
“We cannot live like other students or young people. We rarely attend school in person and do most of our studies online. We also rarely get to experience the things children normally do, such as meeting friends and spending time together,” Veda said.
According to Veda, his family, friends in Indonesia, and Indonesian food are among the things he misses most when he is away from home.
“What I miss most is the food, my family, and the friends I used to train with in Indonesia. Even though I have friends here too, it is different. Being in Indonesia is different from being abroad,” he said.
These sacrifices are part of the story behind both riders’ journeys. Amid demanding international competition schedules and the pressure to continually improve their performance, their families and homeland remain important sources of motivation to keep moving forward.
Indonesian Heroes, Indonesia’s Pride in Mandalika
The presence of Mario and Veda at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia 2026 carries significance beyond their participation in a world championship. They represent the spirit of Indonesian Heroes: young Indonesians who dare to dream big, overcome challenges, and strive to carry Indonesia’s name onto the international stage.
Through the spirit of The Rise of Local Heroes and #IndonesiaMendunia Bersama Pertamina, the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia 2026 provides an opportunity for the public to show tangible support for Indonesian riders competing at the world level.
This support is not just about race results, but also about appreciating the process, dedication, and long journey that have brought them to where they are today.
Competing in front of their home crowd at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit gives the public an opportunity to witness Mario Suryo Aji’s efforts in Moto2™️ and Veda Ega Pratama’s performance in Moto3™️ firsthand. Cheers and encouragement from their fellow Indonesians are expected to provide additional motivation as they face the competition on the track.
The presence of these two Indonesian Heroes also reinforces Mandalika’s role in the national motorsport ecosystem and as a destination for international sporting events. More importantly, their journeys serve as a reminder that world-class achievements are built through a long process of discipline, courage, and the determination to keep rising after setbacks.
From training after school to standing on the world championship stage, Mario and Veda have proven that big dreams require sustained effort and perseverance. Now, at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, their journey continues as they carry Indonesia’s name onto the global stage.
They are not merely two riders competing in a race, but Indonesian Heroes who inspire the public to believe that Indonesian talent can compete and achieve success on the world stage. In Mandalika, that spirit finds its stage: a place where perseverance meets support, and Indonesia’s pride moves forward alongside its heroes.