The world’s first franchise-based supercross league, the CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) received an incredible response for its maiden race in Pune, with BigRock Motorsport taking the first place as a team.
In the 450-cc international race, Jordi Tixier of BB RACING, who hails from France, took first place while riding the Honda. In the 250 cc international race, Australian racer Reid Taylor of BigRock Motorsport, on a Kawasaki, seized the victory position and helped the team prevail. Furthermore, giving the team a further boost, Thanarat Penjan of BigRock Motorsport, who is from Thailand and rides a Kawasaki, won the 250 cc India Asia Mix.
BigRock Motorsport stunned the Pune crowd by winning the podium in all categories at the inaugural CEAT ISRL leg.
The first race of Season 1 took place in Pune and it featured a stellar roster of both rising Indian stars and foreign champions in four different categories: the exceptionally competitive 85cc junior class, the 250cc India-Asia mix, the 450cc international riders, and the 250cc international riders. The series will act as the ultimate testing ground for global Supercross supremacy, with the best riders from all over the globe gathering in India. The league is dedicated to giving riders of all ages and ability levels a competitive and safe riding environment.
Veer Patel, Co-founder and Director of the CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League, stated, “We are overwhelmed by the response we received from the Pune crowd and the enthusiasm was unbeatable. The CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League, will establish India as the focal point for Supercross for the world. The riders displayed their unmatchable skills and the commitment for the sport. We appreciate the strong participation and grit to win the race by all individuals. We congratulate the winners and the teams for their amazing participation. At CEAT ISRL, we look forward to delivering an exceptional experience for fans in Ahmedabad.”
With a grand opening in Pune’s Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi that drew 10,000 people, the action will move to Ahmedabad on February 11 at the EKA Arena, Transstadia. The league’s final contest will be held in New Delhi on February 25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.
The league, having such incredible backing from brands, gave the event a much-needed kick-start – CEAT, Toyota Hilux, Axor, Kawasaki, and more. Additionally, the league being aired on Viacom18‘s top sports networks, Sports18 and JioCinema, will pique people’s curiosity across the country. Since the network has lately emerged as the hub for Indian sports.
At the Balewadi Stadium, on the day before Round 1 of ISRL, SportsMint Media asked Mr Eeshan Lokhande, Co-founder & Director of the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) about the importance of having the league aired on a top sporting network.
He said, “A stadium will hold from 10 thousand to one lakh people but taking a sport to every household of the country and eventually globally needs a firm broadcaster and we have found one with Viacom18. There’s passion, there is planning, and there is a vision that all the stakeholders and partners have, and it’s not a one-year thing, the basic idea is that let’s build this league and take it forward.”