Twenty-three podium finishes—including 18 first-place victories, three second-place finishes and two third places—speak volumes about the sheer talent of Pune’s up-and-coming bike racer Sarthak Chavan. At just 18, he has already etched his name in history as the first Indian to secure a podium finish at the Asia Road Racing Championship’s TVS Asia One. Now, as he gears up for the fourth round of the championship, confidence fuels his belief that he can go all the way to the top.
Born into a middle-class family in Pune, Sarthak grew up surrounded by the roar of engines. His father, who runs a workshop specialising in modified racing bikes and cars, introduced him to the world of motorsport.
The passion caught on early. Sarthak began riding more than a decade ago, clocking a lap record of 1:45.532. His first major breakthrough came in 2012, when as a young boy he won the Gulf Autocross in Mumbai, marking the beginning of a journey that has only become better and better since.
By the time he was a teenager, Sarthak became the youngest Indian national champion in the Pro Stock 301–400cc Open category, a milestone that cemented his arrival on the national stage. Yet, despite his achievements, the sport he represents continues to remain in the shadows. Unlike cricket or football, motorsport rarely finds a place in India’s mainstream media.
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For athletes like Sarthak, this lack of recognition feels like a roadblock in their journey. But he remains optimistic. “I believe one day motorsport, and the many youngsters pursuing it, will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. This sport deserves more respect, at least in our country,” he says with a quiet determination.
Currently racing under the banner of TVS, Sarthak is also a third-year mechanical engineering student. His knowledge of machines runs deep, often overshadowing his interest in mainstream sports. “I know very little about cricket or other games, but when it comes to bikes, I can talk endlessly,” he admits with a smile, adding, “The best track I have raced on is Lusail International Circuit in Doha.”
Sarthak’s career is guided by none other than Shyam Kothari, his mentor and a seven-time national champion, and his uncle, also a former national rider. Their influence has shaped his discipline and confidence as he continues to make waves at the Asia Road Racing Championship, Asia Talent Cup and Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship, where he recently clinched the third place in the last edition. He is also immensely influenced by his coach Amol Talpade, a multiple national champion.
“We can compare ourselves with foreign riders. There’s nothing lacking in India. Only the recognition is missing,” says Sarthak. His words echo the sentiment of countless young Indian motorsport athletes who, despite their courage and brilliance, are forced to ride on a track where the spotlight often looks elsewhere.
By Joe Williams
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