Supercross champ eyes bigger thrills

Biker CS Santosh was ecstatic,no doubt! But there was an overwhelming sense of relief too behind the smiles and fist pumps from the Bangalore rider after he lifted the MRF National Supercross Championship title in Pune on Sunday.Santosh,who rides for Team TVS Racing,went into the sixth and final round of the national championship with one hand literally on the silverware.He just needed 10 points from the last round to seal the title after dominating the entire season - winning four of the five rounds before the final in Pune.

But the 27-year-old was not interested in playing it safe.

I wanted to prove to everyone that I am up there as one of the best in the country at this point, said the biker.Santosh had a point to prove too.He was unlucky in the last three years as fractures to the collar bone and wrists just before the opening race of the season ruined his chances.

Previous seasons it was difficult and I was unlucky.But I knew that if I stay on the bike,dont get injured and ride to my potential I can win and that is what happened, said Santosh,who had also improved on his skills after training stints in the US and Australia.And Sundays race victory was the icing on the cake for the Bangalore lad.

Santosh,who rides a 250FX TVS race-special bike,didnt have an easy run into the checquered flag though as the Pune track and the competition were equally tough.His teammate Aravind KP took the initial lead in the first race (moto) of the final round.But Santosh capitalized on a mistake by Aravind in the third lap and after that there was no catching the 27-year-old.The second moto was a masterclass by Santosh as he did some serious aerials on his way to the top of the podium and the best rider award.

Santosh finished the championship with a total of 219 points with his TVS teammate Aravind 45 points behind in second place.CD Jinan finished in third place with 168 points
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For Team TVS Racing,which is celebrating its 25th year in competitions,the onetwo finish in the championship was proof that their outfit is ready for bigger challenges.And the team fielding Santosh has already forayed into the international circuit.

This year we took part in the Asian Supercross Championship where I had finished in the top-5 in one of the races.The Asian circuit is very competitive as the top two riders from every country takes part in it.Besides I had won a lot of races in Sri Lanka too, said Santosh.

The 27-year-old had started competing in the national roadracing championship as a 19-year-old in 2002 before shifting to motocross and falling in love with the sport.And it is that love which makes Santosh look beyond even the competitive Asian circuit.If I get support and if I improve further I can compete in the World Supercross Championship too, said Santosh.