Sherco TVS Factory rally team has announced their 3-rider squad for the 2018 Dakar rally. The team includes Joan Pedrero from Spain; Adrien Metge from France, and Aravind KP from India.
The Sherco TVS Factory rally team is aiming for a top ten finish at the 2018 Dakar, which is in its 40th edition. The rally will be held from January 6 to 20, 2018. It covers three countries beginning in Lima, Peru, and passing through La Paz, Bolivia, before finally culminating in Cordoba, Argentina; after having traversed a total distance of over 9,000 km.
This will be Indian racer Aravind KP’s second time at the Dakar Rally. Spanish rider Pedrero will be participating for the tenth consecutive time; and will be Metge’s third innings. Speaking on the occasion, Thomas Teissier, General Manager, Sherco Motorcycles said:
This is the fourth year of our partnership, and with each passing year our preparation for Dakar has become more focused and fierce. We have a strong relationship with TVS Racing, and we have worked together on the existing team structure. We are excited to have Aravind KP in our team again. The preparation has been good so far, and I have full faith in the abilities of our team for Dakar 2018. The preparation in the last two months before the race will be crucial, and I am sure that the team will perform to the best of their ability.
Arun Siddharth, Vice President Marketing – premium Two Wheelers, International Business & TVS Racing said:
TVS was the first Indian manufacturer to participate at Dakar and this year we have stepped up our participation in, and preparation for International rally raids. Races such as PanAfrica Rally, Merzouga Rally and OiLibiya Rally have helped get more exposure, thus helping us improve our readiness for Dakar. Based on our performance at the other rally-raids this year, we are aiming for a top ten finish at the Dakar 2018.
Speaking with Vinay Harne, President – new Product Development, TVS Motor Company, he revealed that the bike- TVS Apache RTR 450 has undergone various mechanical changes for the 2018 edition, based on the rider inputs. They have made improvements on the engine camshaft, valve timing for better mid-rpm torque. This consequently helps in better acceleration, which is crucial for riders to power through the obstacles.
They have also worked on the engine’s top-end performance for achieving higher top speeds. However, the company has remained tight-lipped about the bike’s output figures.