Ahamed in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, coaching for the Moto3 race in India.
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association
Followers at subsequent weekend’s inaugural MotoGP of Bharat can have a neighborhood hero to cheer for when Chennai’s Ok.Y. Ahamed races within the Moto 3 championship, which is 2 ranges beneath MotoGP, as a wildcard entry.
The 26-year-old Nationwide champion will race for PETRONAS MIE Racing Imaginative and prescient Monitor Racing group aboard the Honda NSF250R bike, making him the primary Indian to compete within the Moto 3 class.
Ahamed will comply with within the footsteps of S. Sarath Kumar, who drove one race in 2011 within the 125cc class, the precursor to Moto3.
Chatting with The Hindu from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the place he’s coaching for the race, Ahamed mentioned, “It’s a dream come true to be a part of the World championship occasion. Whereas rising up, I used to dream of simply seeing a MotoGP race..”
Earlier this 12 months, the FMSCI chosen Ahamed and Rajiv Sethu for a range trial in Japan, the place they’d a one-week camp and educated beneath former Moto2 rider Tetsuta Nagashima.
“We examined on Ohvale GP minibike and had been evaluated on timing, abilities, and endurance. I’ve to thank the FMSCI and TVS Racing for serving to me get this chance,” added Ahamed, who acquired the nod following the trial.
Ahamed had his first style of being a part of a MotoGP weekend when he competed within the 2016 Asia Expertise Cup at three rounds in Qatar, Malaysia, and China when it was one of many help races earlier than funds dried out.
Ahamed in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, coaching for the Moto3 race in India.
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
As a part of his preparation for the weekend, Ahamed is coaching with former Indonesian Moto2 rider Doni Tata Pradita on a Supermoto bike. “I’ve been right here for the previous two weeks, and it has been an intense schedule. I’m grateful Doni agreed to coach as a result of he’s very skilled and may also help me put together shortly.”
Whereas will probably be a steep studying curve for the India rider, Ahamed mentioned, “I’ve all the time been somebody who by no means provides up till the chequered flag. Generally, I’ve crashed and misplaced factors attempting to be aggressive, however I attempt to look ahead and never simply sit again. I intention to do my finest, study as a lot as potential, and share the information with upcoming riders.”
“Issues are altering with riders beginning as younger as 13 or 14, and having a MotoGP race in India goes to be an enormous factor,” he added earlier than signing off.