Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s passion for bikes is no secret. Going with his passion he bought a racing team — Mahi Racing Team India — last year. The riders of the team are in India to promote their sport. Abhishek Purohit catches up with the riders on the sidelines of a promotional event
Successful people generally share a similar attitude and approach to life. Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret, two riders of Mahi Racing Team India, owned by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, are a mirror image in that aspect to the Indian cricket team captain.
Turkey’s Sofuoglu resembles the daredevilry and boldness of Dhoni while France’s Foret likes to perform under pressure, just like his boss who likes to thrive under tough conditions.
The similarities do not stop at that. The duo, who will compete at the Supersport World Championships, share a common passion for bikes with Dhoni and want to win the World Championships with their new team just like Dhoni did with the the Indian team.
Dhoni’s exploits on the cricket field has evidently impressed Foret and Kenan and the former feels that the Ranchi lad can teach him and his co-driver a thing or two. “He is very passionate about biking. I came to know his name through a newspaper that he is the captain of the world champion Indian cricket team. He also has knowledge of technicalities of bikes like tyres, engines and wheels. We would like to learn how to hit the cricket ball from him and we would teach him how to ride the bike faster,” Fabiet, who feels Dhoni is fitter than many younger competitors said.
The 40-year old Fabien, who won the World Championships in 2002, likes the way Dhoni handles pressure. Asked if he will now find difficult to perform under pressure as he is part of India’s icon — Dhoni’s team, he says, “Pressure is part of any job. look at Dhoni, he captains Indian cricket team and cricket is a huge game here. He performs under pressure. Bike-racing is not that big in India as compared to Europe. But, we have our reputation to play for. Sofuoglu is a big name in his country. In my country, although football is immensely popular, still I have my own fans and friends who follow me. I have to play for them. Now that you have a team, you will want us to perform better to make India proud. So, I am looking forward to upcoming races and I am even more excited to compete at the home race in November. I believe Dhoni will be there,” Fabien, who had creditable third place finishes in last two years, said.
Fabien, who is the more experienced among the two riders reckons that Mahi’s team, who will ride the Kawasaki Ninza ZX-6R, is one of the best in the world and will aim to win the championships. “We have a very strong team with very good people working for us. Our primary aim is to be on the podium consistently,” he said. “We have fourteen races to go and our aim is to win the Championship as a team and if any of us, goes on to win the drivers’ trophy, will be great.”
While Fabien is older and more experienced than Sofuoglu, what sets the young turk apart is his boldness and penchant for taking risks, which have been a hallmark of his life. Developing interest in biking as a four-year old kid and starting professional biking at the age of 16, life has taught him a lot.
Riding bike at high speeds is a dangerous job and Sofuoglu learnt his lessons the hard way after losing two of his brothers in traffic accidents.
“Both incidents have been tough and it has forced me to reconsider my career. I lost my elder brother in 2002 when he was just coming out of the home and crossing the road. He was hit by a speeding car. Then, in 2008, another brother lost his life due to a biking accident. life is dangerous on the track and I know it and my mother also knows it. Now, I am alone with my mother as my father also died in 2011 due to cancer. It again forced me to rethink on biking. But, what I will do. I can’t do business. I can’t live without biking. So, I am continuing with it. In 2008, was my toughest period as I was also struggling in Moto2 and things didn’t go my way and I had to comeback to Supersport. Now, I am happy,” three-time world champion Sofuoglu, said on Saturday at a promotional event at the Buddh International Circuit.
The 28-year old joined the team in 2013 after Kawasaki, of which he is the official driver, decided to move to India. “last year, I saw this team make a podium finish and they were looking for new guys. Turkish people love India and I am happy by coming here,” he said.
Sofuoaglu, who won the season’s first race at Phillip Island, Australia, is bowled over by Dhoni’s humility. “He is a very humble guy. Despite having so much of success, he doesn’t think he is different from others. My family also wasn’t rich and I don’t come from any big places in Turkey. I heard Dhoni also hails from a similar background and a small place. He has achieved so much. I am happy to riding bike for his team. He always say, I never allow others to touch my old bikes because I will not find it anymore if something happens,” Sofuoglu said.
