Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team has confirmed that it will field three riders for the 2019 Merzouga Rally that is slated to take place from March 31 to April 5, 2019, in Erfoud, Morocco. The team’s line-up will include French rider Michael Metge and Indian riders Aravind KP and Abdul Wahid Tanveer.
Metge and Aravind KP also participated in the 2019 Dakar Rally for Sherco TVS and will be competing in the 450cc category of the Merzouga Rally. Earlier this year, Aravind managed to conquer the Dakar Rally on his third attempt, securing 37th place overall to become the only Indian rider to complete the rally this year. Metge, meanwhile, finished 25th overall.
Abdul Wahid Tanveer will be competing in the Enduro category of the Merzouga Rally. He enjoyed some successful outings last year – winning the Enduro category in the 2018 PanAfrica Rally, bagging 2nd place in the Enduro category of the 2018 Rally of Morocco and even claiming 3rd place in the Moto category of the 2018 India Baja.
“The Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team had a good racing season last year and our Indian riders proved their mettle with some outstanding performances in the International Rally circuit. We are all set to step-in to a new race season and hope to deliver some strong performances in the coming year,” said B Selvaraj, team manager, TVS Racing.
“Merzouga Rally sets the stage for the future races as it offers an ideal platform to evaluate the physical and technical strengths of the team. The three-member team will look to dominate the Rally and ensure strong results.”
This will be the TVS Rally Factory Team’s third go at the Merzouga Rally. This year’s event will take place across five days, with participants having to tackle challenging sand sections in addition to the soaring temperatures of the Moroccan desert.