Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090861692000.htm

Sport - Sports : General

An Indian rider in the MotoGP

Chennai: The 2007 National Champion of Champions Preetham Dev Moses is all set to become the first Indian bike racer to participate in the MotoGP, when he races in Malaysia next month. He became the first Indian to test for the MotoGP when he tested at the Zuhai International Circuit in China on September 1 and 2.

The testing was done on a GP 125cc Aprilia instead of the GP 250cc bike, due to a delay in arranging funds.

The rider from Chennai had earlier received a wild card from the FIM for five races in the MotoGP this year, but insufficient funds have restricted his participation to two races.

Preetham will be ride a 250cc Aprilia in the races to be held in Malaysia on October 19, and in Valencia, Spain, on October 26. Chuck Akslind, who was the manager for former MotoGP world champion Kenny Roberts’s team, will be Preetham’s manager.

Late last year, Preetham became the first Indian to finish second in the Malaysian Super Series 600cc open category, missing the title by a whisker.

In March this year he received a special invite to race in the fifth round of the UAE Super Sports Championship at the Dubai Autodrome.

In a grid of 20 which included racers from Britain, Switzerland, South Africa, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Dubai etc., Preetham finished third and fourth in the two races respectively.