Sherco TVS Factory Rally team has announced the inclusion of Aravind KP, for their Dakar 2019 squad. He is the fourth rider in the line-up which comprises Micheal Metge, Adrian Metge and Lorenzo Santolino. He will start training with his teammates in Morocco for the same. Aravind has recovered from the injury he sustained during this year’s Dakar and he also took part in the PanAfrica Rally 2018. However, he had a crash in the very first stage of the PanAfrica Rally 2018 and had to retire early. Now, having recovered from his injuries, Aravind KP is all set for the 2019 Dakar Rally, which is scheduled to take place from January 6 to 17. For Aravind KP, this will be his third Dakar outing and he will be riding the Dakar-spec RTR 450 Rally motorcycle.
On his inclusion for Dakar 2019, Aravind KP, racer, Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team said, “Dakar is the ultimate challenge for any racer and I am glad to be a part of it for the third consecutive time. I thank TVS Racing and Sherco for believing in me and giving me another opportunity to fulfil my dream of finishing the rally. The past 10 months has been a journey of ups and downs but I have focused on my fitness and recovery to ensure I am ready for Dakar. The next one month will be crucial to my preparation and I will be going to Morocco to train with my team mates. Both Michael and Adrien have been extremely supportive during my recovery time and have kept me motivated along with my TVS Racing family. Conquering Dakar 2019, is my single focused goal for now and I am determined more than ever to finish the Rally.”
On Arvind KP’s inclusion in the squad, B. Selvaraj, team manager, TVS Racing said, “I am happy that Aravind KP is returning to Dakar with full energy and vigour. We are very confident given his experience in the international racing arena and Dakar in particular, he will be able to perform well. The team has worked hard on the race strategy and is focused on maintaining consistency all through the race. We are competing with four best riders in the team and are very confident of a top 10 finish.”
The 2019 edition of the Dakar Rally will be the 41st edition and will take place in one country only – Peru. It will see the racers starting from Lima, cruising through terrains of Pisco, San Juan de Marcona, Arequipa and Moquegua, covering a total distance of over 5000 km.
With good performance in the Baja Aragon, PanAfrica Rally & Rally of Morocco, Sherco TVS is aiming for a top ten finish in the 2019 edition of the world’s toughest rally.