Being a country of over a billion people, one phrase that India simply cannot be associated with is ‘lack of talent’. Unlike in cricket, India isn’t considered to be anything close to a power player in the world of motorsport; that said, the younger and more fearless India has started to embrace racing with open arms and a great deal of promising new riders are flocking to the sport.
One make championships like the Suzuki Gixxer Cup and the TVS Apache one-make series are often witnessing grids the size of thirty riders in recent years! While that can only be good news for the sport, the intense competition can make breaking out of championships like these quite the challenge for relatively new riders. However, a man once said that once the going gets tough, the tough get going and this year’s Suzuki Gixxer Cup has produced one such tough breakout star who has impressed many with his mature, yet thrilling performances this season.
Laying down the Gauntlet in the Gixxer Cup
Tanay Gaikwad has been a true revelation this season; on his way to finishing in a personal best second place, Tanay managed to take his first ever race victory and also added a couple of more wins and four podiums into his tally by the end of the year. His first couple of years in the Gixxer Cup saw him evolve as a rider but this year, he really laid the hammer down was tantalizingly close to winning the title; merely two points separated him and eventual champion Syed Muzzamil Ali.
I was fortunate enough to speak to the man himself after his tremendous season and it was quite a refreshing chat about motorsport and just what it takes to be a good rider. In his usual direct and optimistic style, Tanay reflected on what he can look back to be his breakout year; I truly enjoyed it and I hope that you will too! Here’s his take on this season of the Gixxer Cup and all things motorsport!
How does it feel to miss out on the title after a personal best year?
“It definitely does feel bad to know that you were so close, yet so far. But then, getting so many wins and podiums in a single year is a huge achievement for me. Honestly, I am extremely happy with how I have raced this year. I may have not won the title but I am still happy with what I have achieved and that’s the most important part in the end!”
What approach do you carry in every race? Does being more aggressive suit the bike?
“Honestly, it really depends a lot on many things like the track temperature and the weather. You have to take all these things into consideration and completely plan your race. You need to know what you must do when you’re leading, when to make the move when you’re chasing, what are the weak points of the rider you are chasing and then make a move accordingly. You really need to think a lot while racing; its not just that you are in the lead and you just have to go faster.”
Just how does experience help in producing better performances?
“I think experience is one of the main things that you need while racing. The more experience you have, the more racing situations you know and can adapt to quickly. You can think much faster and react to these situations quicker because you have already been in this position previously. Not only your own experiences but those shared to you by other riders help out greatly too. It really works wonders on track!”
Which racer do you look up to and what is one thing that you have in common with them?
“I used to be a big Maverick Vinales fan but this season, Fabio Quatararo, the rookie has been mind blowing considering how he has ridden in his first season! His aggression on track and his coolness off track is just what every rider needs and I feel that I am a bit like that! Hats off to him; he’s just too good! One similarity that I’ve noticed is that we are both pretty good at late braking while racing and also that both of us race Yamahas as I race the R15 in the National Championship!”
What’s it like to compete in two championships at the same time?
“It can get pretty hard because sometimes, the dates clash and you have to choose which championship you want to compete in, the Gixxer Cup or the National Championship. Its a lot of fun though; you get a quite different experience in both places. For example with around thirty bikes in the nationals, I have experienced that people go all out in the first corner. There are tyres touching your shoulder, there are crashes happening and bikes touching each other. It is chaotic and you have to find your way out with barely any reaction time.
What does 2020 have in store for you?
“The first thing that I will be doing is racing in the Endurance Race on 20th January. After that, I may race in the Formula Junior Racing series and then I’ll be racing the 250cc Suzuki Gixxer and I am planning on racing in the JK Tyre Superbike Championship. There is a plan in mind for the Bahrain Superbike Championship too but that’s only if I manage to get the necessary sponsorship. Its going to be a big year!”
Now that the breakthrough has been made, an exciting season full of opportunities awaits Tanay; here’s how you can follow his racing progress!
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