From Pasar Sapi to the Moto3 Podium: The Inspiring Rise of Veda Ega Pratama

Jakarta – The story of Veda Ega Pratama is quickly becoming a source of national pride in Indonesia. The 17-year-traditional racer, who honed his skills on the unconventional training grounds of a local market parking lot, has burst onto the Moto3 world championship scene, recently securing a historic podium finish. Pratama’s rapid ascent underscores a growing wave of Asian talent in motorcycle racing, and his journey is a testament to dedication and resourcefulness.

Pratama has already made waves in his debut Moto3 season, following up a strong showing in Thailand with a third-place finish at the Moto3 Grand Prix of Brazil. This achievement marks a significant milestone, not just for the young rider, but for Indonesian motorsports as a whole.

A Family Affair: Roots in Indonesian Racing

Veda Ega’s passion for motorcycle racing is deeply rooted in family tradition. His father, Sudarmono, is a veteran national-level racer, having competed in various classes, including Supersport 600cc events. This familial connection sparked Veda’s interest in the sport at a very young age.

Sudarmono’s influence extended beyond simply inspiring his son. He established Mons 54 Private, a racing school that has become a breeding ground for young Indonesian talent. M. Diandra Trihardika, the 2025 National Motoprix champion, was among the first students to benefit from Sudarmono’s coaching.

From Market Parking Lot to the World Stage

While his father provided the initial spark, Veda’s early training was far from conventional. Recognizing the need to build a strong foundation, he initially focused on motocross to develop his bike control and mental fortitude. Still, access to dedicated racing infrastructure in Wonosari, Indonesia, was limited.

the parking lot of Pasar Hewan Siyono (Siyono Animal Market) in Playen, Gunungkidul, became an unlikely training ground. This makeshift “circuit” provided Veda with the opportunity to practice and refine his skills. He supplemented this local training with trips to Sirkuit Boyolali and Mijen, Semarang, requiring significant travel from Yogyakarta.

A recent social media post by Veda himself highlighted the humble beginnings of his racing career. “Wah, ternyata saya walaupun latihan di pasar sapi bisa sampai di sini ya,” (Wow, it turns out that even though I trained in the cattle market, I could get here), he remarked on TikTok, a sentiment that quickly went viral and resonated with fans.

A Rising Star with Honda Team Asia

Veda Ega Pratama’s talent didn’t go unnoticed. He became the 2023 Asia Talent Cup champion – the first Indonesian to achieve this feat – and has since progressed through the JuniorGP and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, finishing as a runner-up in the latter. His consistent performance and dedication earned him a coveted spot with Honda Team Asia for the 2026 Moto3 World Championship, alongside Japanese rider Zen Mitani.

Honda Team Asia’s commitment to nurturing young Asian talent is evident in their selection of Pratama and Mitani, both of whom have benefited from Honda and Idemitsu development programs. The team hopes to build on the success of previous riders like Ai Ogura and Somkiat Chantra, who have progressed to MotoGP.

The Brazilian Grand Prix: A Breakthrough Moment

The Moto3 Brazilian Grand Prix proved to be a turning point for Pratama. Starting from fourth on the grid, he faced challenges with tire management, dropping to tenth position during the race at the Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiania. However, a timely red flag – caused by a crash involving David Almansa – provided an unexpected opportunity.

The race restarted with a quick start, and Pratama, now in tenth place, demonstrated remarkable speed and composure. In just five laps, he overtook seven competitors, including a decisive pass on Alvaro Carpe, to secure a third-place finish. This podium finish marked the first time an Indonesian rider has reached the podium in a Grand Prix world championship event.

The achievement was met with widespread acclaim. Commentators from SpoTV lauded Pratama’s performance, stating, “Indonesia has been waiting a very, very long time to have a superstar they can support. Veda Pratama is appearing on screens here, in Brazil. A star is born.” Another commentator added, “Veda Pratama, the first Indonesian to reach a podium in a world championship in only his second Grand Prix. One to watch for the future.”

Looking Ahead: The US Grand Prix and Beyond

Pratama expressed his gratitude for the historic result, posting on Threads, “Peringkat 3, Alhamdulillah sejarah tercipta di Brasil. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada tim saya atas kerja kerasnya akhir pekan ini dan kepada semua orang yang selalu mendukung saya. More to come, Obrigado Brasil! Selanjutnya Austin.” (Third place, Alhamdulillah history has been made in Brazil. Thank you so much to my team for their hard work this weekend and to everyone who has always supported me. More to come, Obrigado Brasil! Next up, Austin.)

The Moto3 World Championship now heads to the United States for the Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Pratama will be looking to build on his momentum and continue his impressive form. The race is scheduled to take place on April 14, 2026, and will be a key test for the young Indonesian rider as he aims to establish himself as a frontrunner in the Moto3 championship. Whether he can maintain his upward trajectory remains to be seen, but Veda Ega Pratama has undoubtedly captured the attention of the racing world.

(cas/aff)