He had already reconciled with it: a continuation of his career in the Supersport World Cup. After five years in the Moto3 and Moto2 motorcycle driver Bo Bendsneyder would have to step back because he didn‘t get a new contract with his RW Racing team.
Until 21-year-old Rotterdam came into view with the Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team, which is active in the Moto2. The Malaysian main sponsor of the team left and replaced an Indonesian partner. And he was looking for a driver with Indonesian roots. A perfect match with Bendsneyder presented itself.
“ The team was already interested in me, on top of that came the new sponsor who fucked it up,” says Bendsneyder. “That combination was good for me.”
You might say very well, because instead of in the Supersport World Championships, the little brother of the Moto2, the driver is allowed to show himself again on the familiar terrain for him, as he did in the last three seasons.
The story is special enough. Bendsneyder’s grandparents were born in Surabaya, the capital of East Java and Indonesia‘s second largest city. In 1956 they moved to the Netherlands, not knowing what they would find there and how important their birthplace 64 years later would be.
Looking for roots
Pertamina Mandalika’s racing team actively sought those roots as they approached their new driver. In fact, Bendsneyder‘s grandmother even got involved in the deal.
“ My grandmother spoke to a Mandalika team boss”, grinns Bendsneyder. “Maybe that was some kind of test. Whether there was really Indonesian blood present. After the conversation it was clear that that was really the case.”
The popularity of the motorcycle driver is also growing in Indonesia. “More Indonesian fans have followed me and I get more messages. It’s really alive.”
Bendsneyder sought interaction and recorded a video message – in Indonesian – to express his gratitude to his new team. And passers-by he also called on the fans to watch this season.
With the transition also come higher expectations. His new team is higher in the pecking order than his previous team. Pertamina Mandalika can even participate to the prizes in the Moto2. And there is also a world to win for Bendsneyder. Over the past three years, he did not go beyond the 29th (2 World Cup points), 26th (7) and 23rd place (18).
High expectations
Bendsneyder‘s predecessor Remy Gardner, son of former world champion Wayne Gardner, won the GP of Portugal last season and finished sixth in the World Championship with 135 points. Bendsneyder managed to ride the points in only three races.
“ The expectations are a little higher of course”, he looks forward to the adventure. “I really have to show it, I know that. I get the chance, and I’m glad.”