Ever since CS Santosh participated in the Dakar Rally in 2015, a handful of other riders have eyed the toughest motorcycle race in the world. CS Santosh not only participated but also managed to complete the race thrice, with his best being 34th overall. This kindled the fire for other riders in India.
TVS rider Aravind KP was the next Indian at the Dakar, racing for the TVS Sherco team, but did not find the expected success as injuries made him retire earlier than expected. Then followed Harith Noah, riding for the TVS Sherco team again, and managed to finish the 2021 Dakar, and in 2021 saw the entry of the fourth Indian, Ashish Raorane, who was also inspired by CS Santosh.
Noah, who grew up racing motorcycles in paddy fields, is backed by the might of TVS Sherco, a factory team with other riders such as Lorenzo Santolino, who finished sixth overall in 2021 and ex-MX2 world champion Rui Goncalves. For the Keralite, the aim for the 2024 Dakar Rally is to take the rally stage-by-stage and finish in a good position.
The same can’t be said about Raorane, as he is not backed up by a mighty factory team. Raorane is riding as a privateer, astride a KTM 450 replica, backed by the Xraids Experience team. Being his second Dakar Rally, the athlete in Pune was part of the Malle Moto class in his first outing, making him the first Indian to do the Dakar in that class.
His first outing was not smooth, as he had to retire after just five stages owing to injuries after a crash. This year, with the support of the Spanish Xraids Experience team, 2023 was good for Raorane and he wants 2024 to start on a high note as well.