INDIA in F1

Tag: Shlok Ghorpade

  • All eyes on Rugved Barguje as injured Shlok Ghorpade to miss Ro1: MRF Supercorss

    All eyes on Rugved Barguje as injured Shlok Ghorpade to miss Ro1: MRF Supercorss

    Vadodara, 23 May 2025: With defending champion Shlok Ghorpade of KTM missing the first round, all eyes will be on former champion Rugved Barguje, the TVS prodigy, as the 2025 season of the MRF MoGrip fmsci National Supercross Championship promoted by Godspeed Racing begins here on Saturday.

    Barguje will spearhead the TVS Racing team, which announced on Friday, eight riders across three categories for the 2025 Championship. A household name, TVS, which enjoyed dominance for several years now in all forms of two-wheeler Nationals, saw only a single championship title in 2024 where Imran Pasha won the title in the Class 5: Group B Indian Experts upto 260cc category. The riders are determined to change the scenario as the line up includes talented Ikshan Shanbaag from Satara, and star rider Parjwal Vishwanath of Bengaluru, who will join Barguje in the premier Group A Foreign Open SX 1 upto 500cc category astride the powerful TVS TR300X.

    Shlok Ghorpade, 17, who won the National Supercross Championship title last year to annexe a maiden victory for KTM Factory Racing India on debut in Indian Nationals, finished his 12th Board exams and was eagerly looking forward and training for the 2025 season. But an unfortunate incident during training at his home track saw him crash in April. “I crashed and hurt myself, which forced me out of Round 1. As frustrating as it is, I am currently in rehabilitation and focusing on getting race ready for round 2 scheduled after the rains,” the 7-time National champion said. “I aim to get better each time I am on my bike. I intend to train abroad with KTM North America for a few weeks and participate in a couple of races there. I am also preparing for the ISRL season 2 scheduled in the last quarter of this year,” the James Stewart Jr fan, elaborated on his 2025 plans.

    Defending champion Imran Pasha, Banteilang Jyrwa, and D Sachin, will compete in Group B Indian Expert category, on a TR200X. TVS also roped in Jayden Wandame Nongkhlaw of Meghalay, who showed much promise last year and newcomer Shailesh Kumar, who will compete in the Indian Novice Group B, also on a TR200X.

    For the 2025 season, PETRONAS TVS Racing will field its upgraded TR 300X (Group A – up to 500cc) and TR 200X (Group B – up to 260cc) race machines. These bikes feature cutting-edge enhancements, including advanced camshaft and cylinder head designs for improved mid-range torque and high-RPM performance. With better suspension and optimized ergonomics, these machines are built to offer superior control, traction, and agility, giving TVS riders a distinct edge on the track.

    The reigning champions Ryan Haig in Group A SX2 upto 500cc and Karan Kumar of Hero MotoSports in Novice upto 260cc besides Subramanya T in Private Experts upto 260cc are also eager to defend their titles. Other talented champions, who took home the crown in their respective classes, Jinendra Sangave, Akshat Hupale and Bairav C Gowda are all in fine fettle looking to up the speed this season.

    Ryan Haig will lead Team Bandidos Motorsports which is all set for the new season after producing a champion in 2024. Besides title holder Haig, the team will have Abhi S Nath, Ector, Wilmer Valentino and Arfaz Hamid for the new season.

    2024 Champions – MRF MOGRIP fmsci National Supercross Championship 2024 (2W)

    1. Class 1: Group A, SX1 upto 500cc: Shlok Ghorpade;

    2. Class 2:  Group A, SX2 upto 500cc: Ryan Haig;

    3. Class 3: Group B Novice upto 260cc: Karan Kumar;

    4. Class 5:  Group B, Indian Experts upto 260cc: Imran Pasha;

    5. Class 6: Group B, Private Experts upto 260cc; Subramanya T.;

    6. Class 7: Group A, Junior SX1 150 to 250cc: Jinendra Sangave;

    7. Class 8: Group A, Junior SX2 Upto 85cc: Akshat Hupale;

    8. Class 9: Group A, Junior SX3 Upto 65cc: Bhairav C Gowda.

    PETRONAS TVS Racing team’s racer lineup for Indian Supercrosss Nationals 2025:

    1. Rugved Barguje — Group A — Foreign Open SX 1 (up to 500cc) — TR300 X;

    2. Ikshan Shanbhag— Group A — Foreign Open SX 1 (up to 500cc) — TR300 X;

    3. Prajwal V— Group A — Foreign Open SX 1 (up to 500cc) — TR300 X;

    4. Imran Pasha — Group B – Indian Expert (up to 260 cc) — TR200 X;

    5. Banteilang Jyrwa — Group B – Indian Expert (up to 260 cc) — TR200 X;

    6. D Sachin — Group B – Indian Expert (up to 260 cc) — TR200 X;

    7.  Jayden Wandame Nongkhlaw — Group B – Indian Novice (up to 260 cc) — TR200 X;

    8. Shailesh Kumar — Group B – Indian Novice (up to 260 cc) — TR200 X;

  • Shlok Ghorpade emerges triumphant in Supercross Championship 2024; Brings honour to KTM on debut

    Shlok Ghorpade emerges triumphant in Supercross Championship 2024; Brings honour to KTM on debut

    Kochi, 30 Nov. 2024: India’s top rider Shlok Ghorpade created history emerging triumphant in the MRF MoGrip fmsci Indian National Supercross Championship 2024 to stop the long reign of TVS Factory riders as he won the first moto in the top SX1 class of the final round which concluded at Eloor, near here on Saturday. The Supercross Nationals was promoted by Godspeed Racing and the final round was organised by KMA Motorsports guided by veteran Musa Sherif and Anil Abbas, in collaboration with Bandidos Motorsports, Kerala.

    The Satara star thus brought a stunning victory and title triumph for the KTM Factory Racing team which made its debut in the National Championship this year by winning the Overall Championship and the premier class by garnering 201 points, six more than his rival, the talented Ikshan Shanbagh, also from Satara. While Ghorpade won the first moto after taking the hole shot, Ikshan came back to take a win in the second moto of SX1 class, but it was too little and too late, as Ghorpade clinched the well-fought championship by finishing second in the second moto.

    Shlok Ghorpade celebrates after winning the 2024 title. INDIAinF1 image

    The capacity crowd of about 15000, enjoyed a thrilling event, witnessing a supercross after a long time and were rewarded with plenty of action and stunts in the night. The track was one of the biggest among all the six rounds and had fast stretches and technical jumps for riders to showcase their talent and skill.

    Shlok Ghorpade, who just completed 17 years on October 18, was astride a KTM 250, and was in his elements maneuvering the jumps and berms with high skills and near-perfect technique. He recently fine tuned his skills in California, USA and showed immense confidence and class in the face of tough and sometimes, ugly competition. TVS Racing team, which has been dominating the Supercross and two-wheeler rally championships for many years now, has won the Motocross/Supercross championships for the last 14 consecutive years. But they were jolted by the young talent and despite Ikshaan providing tough time to him, they had to rope in the newly-crowned road racing champion, Sarthak Chavan to try and beat the marauding Ghorpade. But the latter, stood his ground and won a well-deserving title, his seventh National Championship crown in different sub-classes and dirt Nationals.

    Shlok Ghorpade, a 7-time National champion

    “I have been working and planning for the past four years to win the SX 1 class. I worked hard for this championship victory and it is the fruit for my hardwork and dedication of my team and sponsors,” the 2022 Junior SX1 National champion quipped on the morning after.

    However, the season has been a tough one, with the much experienced and strong team like TVS Racing on the other side. He endured falls, the blocking of racing lines in every round and race, and fought as a lone warrior against a huge team and thus, the success is all the more sweet. “I can’t think of a single day where I didn’t think of improving and getting better. I was becoming too serious. That is when I thought I should start enjoying my races and as a result, the points came back,” he felt.

    “I banked on my family and knew my potential. I have no legacy to protect and I had nothing to lose. The stakes are high and the tempo increased from the Pune round,” he added. Yes, the blocking too ‘increased’ from the Pune round.

    The heat was on and he was boxed so much that for the first time in two years, he was not on the podium in the Bengaluru round. However, the champion rose like a phoenix and won the first moto, to virtually seal the issue and won with a second place in the final moto, as the championship went to wire.

    “Physically it was tiring but it was much more a  mental game. Once I accepted that my winning streak of over five rounds was broken, it was easier for me to get up, dust myself and relaunch the attack. My core team and I worked on all possibilities, strategised and planned for the worst.   I always hope for the best while preparing for the worst. And the results are there, now, for everyone to see,” he spoke as if in nostalgia, of the just-concluded season’s ups and downs.

    All commissioned photographs by Siddharth, Hyderabad

    Shlok Ghorpade – Roll of honour – 7 National titles

    2022: Indian National Supercross Junior SX 1 (under 16 yrs) Champion

    2023: Indian National Supercross Junior SX 1 (under 16 yrs) Champion

    2023: Indian National Dirt Track Junior SX 1 (under 16 yrs) Champion

    2023: Indian National Supercross SX 2 category Champion

    2023: Indian national Dirt Track SX 2 category Champion

    2024: Indian National Supercross SX1 category – Overall champion

    2024: Indian National Dirt Track SX1 category Champion

    5 International trophies :

    DMX Round 5 – 3rd place

    Saturday MX at Glen Helen summer series

    Saturday MX at Glen Helen 250cc category

    Mammoth qualifiers at Fox

    Fall series at Glen Helen

    Final Round: The results (provisional): 

    1. Ikshan Shanbhag (TVS Racing) 37 points (17, 20);

    2. Shlok Ghorpade (KTM Factory Racing India) 40 points (20, 17);

    3. Sarthak Chavan (TVS Racing) 28 (15, 13).

    Class 2 – SX 2: Group A:

    1. Ryan Haig (Kochi) 40 (20, 20);

    2. S. Kathiroli (Coimbatore) 34 (17, 17);

    3. Wilmer Valentino (Kochi) 23 (8, 15).

    Class 3 – Novice, Group B: (only one moto)

    1. Karan Kumar (Hero Motorsports) 20;

    2. W.N. Jayden (TVS Racing) 17;

    3. Shaun Chhangte (Aizawl) 15.

    Class 5 – Indian Experts, Group B:

    1. D. Sachin (TVS Racing) 37 (17, 20);

    2. Imran Pasha (TVS Racing) 33 (20, 13);

    3. Karan Kumar (Hero Motorsports) 28 (11, 17).

    Class 6 – Private Experts: Group B:

    1. Subramanya (Bengaluru);

    2. Shreeraj H (Kerala);

    3. Arshad Muhammed (Cheruthuruthy); (Points not received)

    Class 7 – Jr. SX1: Group A:

    1. Jinendra Sangave (Ichakaranji) 40 (20, 20);

    2. Ector Ezak (Kochi) 34 (17, 17);

    3. Faiz Sayyed (Pune) 30 (15, 15).

    Class 8 – Jr. SX2: Group A:

    1. Yash Shinde; KTM SX 85;

    2. Akshat Hupale; KTM SX 85;

    3. Sujan J. Kawasaki; (All from Pune).

    Class 9 – Jr. SX3: Group A:

    1. Bhairav C. Gowda (Bengaluru);

    2. Chaitanya Joshi (Pune);

    3. Nandan Das 30 (15, 15).

    Demo class:

    1. Vismay Ram (Blr);

    2. Rithin Sai (Cbe);

    3. Shyam Aditya.

    (Complete results are not received yet from the organizers)

  • Tanveer wins top class; Ikshan, Shlok, Sachin bag a double too: Dirt Track Nationals

    Tanveer wins top class; Ikshan, Shlok, Sachin bag a double too: Dirt Track Nationals

    Coimbatore, 11 June 2023: Two young Satar riders, Ikshan Shanbhag and Shlok Ghorpade, won a brilliant brace to equal experienced riders Abdul Wahid Tanveer and Sachin D in the opening round of the MRF fmsci National Dirt Track Championship, promoted by Godspeed Racing, at the open grounds of Codissia, near Jenneys Club, here on Sunday.

    While multiple National champion Tanveer notched up stunning victories in both the motos of the top class, SX1, it was a battle between youth and experience as Shlok Ghorpade and Ikshan Shanbagh, both from Satara, and D Sachin also posted wins in two motos each. The ladies class was bagged by former Road Racing National champion Ryhana Bee as she put paid to the hopes of Tanya Singh, but it was Ikshan’s sister, Tanika Shanbagh, a from Hero Motosports stable, took the last spot on the podium in the new format.

    Ladies winners: (from left ) Tanya, 2nd, winner Ryhana Bee and Tanika Shanbhag (3rd).

    Nevertheless, the battle between the women will continue not just in Dirt Track Nationals but also in the 2w National Rally Championship, where Tanika has taken huge strides against established names while Ryhana continues to shine in Drag and Road Racing Nationals. With Aishwarya Pissay moving to bigger bikes and to the top class competing with male champions, Tanika is aiming for a double National title, both in Dirt Track and Rally. But a tough Ryhana Bee of Chennai got the hole shot in the first round and the momentum gets interesting as the DT Nationals move to the second round. “I am very happy to secure 1st position to begin the season on a winning note. It is good to be back on the podium after a few struggles in my INRC (2w) and INMRC. Where I used to be on the top but due to some technical issues I had bad crash in INMRC and it cost me a lot including 1st place,” said Ryhana, the 2020 Ladies champion in the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Champion (INMRC). “The track is very tricky and challenging. I feel good that I took the chequered flag with a huge lead after a healthy fight with my fellow riders. Hoping to set my bike up for a better show in the coming rounds. I must thank my team for the solid support and service. I thank MRF, Godspeed, and other organisers for giving us another safe platform to race and it was a weekend I enjoyed,” Ryhana added.

    Mysuru’s Tanveer, one of the top riders from the TVS stable is a champion rider in Supercross and National 2w Rally championship but with no official entries from TVS, he took part as a privateer but his TVS 450 stood him in good stead. Though being a heavy bike is a bit of a disadvantage, the champion rider pulled out all the tricks in his repertoire to beat competition in the Dirt Track championship which is being revived after a decade.

    Ryhana Bee pumps her fist in joy as she takes the flag to win the Ladies class in the first round of the Dirt Track Nationals at Coimbatore on Sunday. INDIAinF1 image (Supplied)

    Without taking many risks, Tanveer displayed smooth and steady riding skills to win both the Motos in SX1 upto 500cc class. The TVS champion beat Shlok Ghorpade of Satara in the first Moto and went on to best teammate Rugved Barguje in the second, after getting caught in the traffic in P4 early on. But he soon made it to the front and was leading comfortably by Lap 4 and went on to clinch the 10-Lap moto with much ado. “This double win makes me very happy as it is a good beginning to the season. I did not exert much and played safe making time in the corners and pacing it when required,” said Abdul Wahid Tanveer.

    Sachin D, who races for Petronas TVS Racing in the Supercross and 2w rally Nationals was at his best. After a disappointing outing in Moto 1 of the Indian Experts Group C upto 260cc class, he came back strongly in Moto 2 to beat teammate Imran Pasha, the winner of first moto. Then he went on to make it a double winning the Indian Novice class (Group C, upto 260cc) with ease. “My first race day in the Dirt Track Nationals is really good. I enjoyed it as it is a completely different format from what I have been racing and rallying. I am riding dirt track championship for the first time and it is fun. So I am really happy with my performance and I like the 900-metre track. Hope to perform better in upcoming events and win the championship,” said Sachin.

    The revival of the Dirt Track Nationals by Godspeed Racing saw overwhelming response with 137 entries and Coimbatore is known for its two-wheeler riders and their fans.

    Provisional Results:

    Class 1: SX1 Group A (Upto 500cc): Moto 1 (10 laps):

    1. Abdul Wahid Tanveer (Mysuru), 20 points;

    2. Shlok Ghorpade (Satara) 17;

    3. Prajwal Vishwanath (Bengaluru) 15.

    SX1 Group A (Upto 500cc): Moto 2 (10 laps):

    1. Abdul Wahid Tanveer 20;

    2. Rugved Barguje (Pune) 17;

    3. Ishan Shanbhag 15.

    Class 2: SX2: Group A (Private Experts, upto 500cc): Moto 1:

    1. Shlok Ghorpade (Satara) 20;

    2. K. Manikandan (Coimbatore) 17;

    3. Sinan Francis (Ernakulam) 15.

    SX2: Group A (Private Experts, upto 500cc): Moto 2:

    1. Shlok Ghorpade 20;

    2. Abdul Latheef (Palakkad) 17;

    3. K. Manikandan 15.

    Class 3: Indian Novice (Group C, upto 260cc): Moto 1:

    1. D. Sachin (Bengaluru) 20;

    2. Mohd. Zaheer (Bengaluru) 17;

    3. Faraz Pasha (Chamrajnagar) 15.

    Class 4: Indian Experts: Group C, upto 260cc: Moto 1:

    1. Imran Pasha (Mysuru) 20;

    2. Varun Kumar (Coimbatore) 17;

    3. K. Sasikumar (Coimbatore) 15.

    Indian Experts: Group C, upto 260cc: Moto 2:

    1. D. Sachin 20;

    2. Imran Pasha 17;

    3. Faraz Pasha 15.

    Class 5: Private Experts: Group C, upto 260cc: Moto 1:

    1. J. Abhishek (Coimbatore) 20;

    2. L. Nathan (Coimbatore) 17;

    3. Mohd. Zaheer 15.

    Class 6: Indian Experts: Group C, 261-550cc: Moto 1:

    1. Rohit Shinde (Baramati) 20;

    2. Mohd. Zaheer 17;

    3. Sreekanth Komana (Kochi) 15.

    Class 7: Junior SX1: Group A, upto 250cc (Big wheels 12-16yrs): Moto 1:

    1. Ikshan Shanbhag (Satara)20;

    2. Shlok Ghorpade 17;

    3. K. Adarsh (Coimbatore) 15.

    Junior SX1: Group A, upto 250cc (Big wheels 12-16yrs): Moto 2:

    1. Ikshan Shanbhag 20;

    2. Shlok Ghorpade 17;

    3. Wilmer Valentino (Kochi) 15.

    Class 8: Junior SX2: Group A, upto 100cc (Small wheels 8-12yrs): Moto 1:

    1. J. Sujan (Coimbatore) 20;

    2. Darshit Chavan (Pune) 17;

    3. Bhairav Chowdegowda (Bengaluru) 15.

    Junior SX2: Group A, upto 100cc (Small wheels 8-12yrs): Moto 2:

    1. Darshit Chavan 20;

    2. Sahil Shelukar (Pune) 17;

    3. Bhairav Chowdegowda 15.

    Class 9: Scooters: Group C, upto 260cc: Moto 1:

    1. Pinkesh Thakkar (Pune) 20;

    2. Kishore Jadhav (Pune) 15;

    3. Prem Kumar (Coimbatore) 15.

    Class 10: Ladies: Group C, upto 260cc: Moto 1:

    1. Rhyana Bee (Chennai) 20;

    2. Tanaya Singh (Pune) 17;

    3. Tanika Shanbhag (Satara) 15.

    Demo Class:

    1. Rayan Shakkir;

    2. Thanin T;

    3. Sumiran Narayan.