Join BikersUnite Submit your own news & stories easily at 'Submit Story' above.
Eeshan Lokhande gave up tennis for dirt biking. So passionate was he of Motocross, that he single-handedly made his own track at Taljai. Today he races in Dubai and has set his eyes on the Asian Championship. The 24-year old has certainly come of age
Living on the edge, confronting danger everyday, that’s the thrill of dirt biking. Meet Eeshan Lokhande, all of 24 and geared up to leave his mark in the world of Motocross. "The rush of adrenaline that the sport gives me is something I just can’t have enough of," gushes Eeshan while fondly running his hands across his gleaming white motorcycle.
Life has not been smooth sailing for Eeshan, a former tennis player, after he gave up the racquet for racing. "My mother is a professional tennis coach who has represented India in a number of international events, so, it came as no surprise that I started playing tennis," says Eeshan. "However, I realised that my heart was in riding bikes and I decided to give it my best shot," he says.
After he literally switched gears in his career, in 2003 Eeshan participated in the National Motocross Championship in the Novice Class. All he had was a Yamaha RX100, next-to-no practice and no motorsport gear. Despite the odds he finished fifth in the race. Since then, there has been no looking back.
Securing a decent motorcycle and riding gear was the need of the hour. Dirt biking being an expensive sport, contributions from friends and family helped Eeshan enter the MRF Supercross Championship in 2004, with a second hand Honda CR 125, a two-stroke motorcycle. "It was the first championship with professional riders and I fell off the bike more than I raced," he laughs. Soon after, lack of Motocross tracks for practice, saw the amateur rider single-handedly make his own track at Taljai. Hard work saw Eeshan winning for the first time in Jaipur in the Intermediate Class, a race held for non-commercial bikers in 2005.
The year 2006 brought Eeshan recognition. He was awarded the ’Upcoming rider of the year’ from Motocross. He says, "Due to the lack of infrastructure in our country, where government bred Motocross parks do not exist, I went to Australia, to train under Paul Broomfield, former TVS team coach. Eight weeks there taught me the finer points of Motocross training. I felt reformed in areas of confidence, fitness and performance."
The 2006 Championship saw Eeshan, the mature rider. Sponsorship came his way from Naiknavare, Pashankar Auto and Kalyani Group. Red Bull and Utopia Optics sponsored his drinks and eyewear.
Secure and confident, he headed for Dubai to participate in the DMX Championship there. In spite of a crash fall in the first round, the injured Eeshan secured the first, second and first place in the second, third and fourth round respectively. The professional had come of age.
"My mother has been my greatest support from the day I gave up tennis. It is thanks to her that I have never lost faith," says Eeshan. What does the future hold for him? "If all goes well, next year will see me participate in the Asian Championship." He signs off with a word of advice for all youngsters, "The thrill of adventure sport is unique. If you dream big, don’t give up. It is worth making that effort." And yes, in Eeshan’s case the effort has borne fruit.
Discuss Add this link to... Kill Story
Comments