The Dakar rally is one of the hardest and toughest races on the world, and it is thought to be the pinnacle of motorsport. CS Santosh made history as the first Indian rider to take part, nd he hs done very well for himself, dispite being unlucky last year. However, he has paved the way for more Indian riders to enter the competition and he has also helped gain attention for the sport in India, where more Indian manufacturers are now taking interest. At this year’s edition of the Dakar rally, the ceremonial start ceremony that kicks off Dakar 2017 was held in Asucion, Paraguay. Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team rider Aravind KP (Race Number 77) made his debut on the podium where all the riders and drivers of the Dakar rally are introduced.
Speaking of his experience on the podium, Aravind KP says “After months of patiently waiting for this day to arrive, it was quite a surreal moment for me to stand there with my motorcycle at the Dakar flag-off ceremony. I am thankful to the entire team at TVS Racing and Sherco who have got me this far. I am looking forward to the first stage on Monday which is a short stage but will help me prepare for tougher stages ahead.” 318 vehicles, including 144 motorcycles, 37 quads, 87 cars of which 10 are SSVs, and 50 trucks, and a total of 501 competitors were cleared to start the 39th edition of the Dakar at the end of the technical and administrative scrutineering. The drivers, riders and crews will go head-to-head in the first round, which is the rally’s only Paraguayan special – a 38.5 km stage. We wish our Indian riders, good luck!