“What’s gained at the Dakar is priceless”
Crew facts
- His passion for motorbikes and rallying has taken over his everyday life. After working and founding several businesses, Jatin Jain has fully focused on his passion with the firm intention of competing in off-road rallies for the next 15 years.
- The Indian from Indore started racing on home soil some twenty years ago and started with motocross and supercross. To date he has over 200 podium finishes.
- Cross-country rallying wasn’t really an addiction, but he was pushed by CS Santosh, the first Indian to finish the Dakar in 2015 to give it a go despite not really liking the navigation side. But he eventually decided to switch to the discipline.
- After competing and gaining experience on rallies like the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the Sonora Rally or the Desafio Ruta 40 in Argentina, it was time for the big one for the now 47-year-old rider. Sadly his rally stopped on day 6.
- This father of two based in Nagpur carried on making history in 2025, becoming the first Indian to compete in all rounds of the W2RC championship. He shows up for his second Dakar with far more experience on his Kove bike.
Ambition
J.J.: “I was really inspired by CS Santosh who pushed me to try out cross-country rallying. I was also lucky enough to have raced many times with Aravind Prabhakar and Harith Noah (also former or current Dakar competitors) so I keep in touch with them if I have any questions concerning the Dakar. I wanted to take it easily before doing the Dakar and that’s why I gained experience on many other rallies around the world.
When I came to Dakar, little did I know I was going to face all that I did. Stories I had heard but the experience was nothing that words can describe. My efforts at Dakar came to a close during stage 6. I covered the last 60 kms in dark and it was super dangerous doing the dunes post sunset. I had a crash in the dunes since visibility was low and by the time I recovered, I had lost substantial time.
It broke me to know how close I was to the finish. I had to spend the night under the stars, stranded in the middle of the desert. Every inch of my body and mind hurting and cold.
It broke me to know how close I was to the finish. I had to spend the night under the stars, stranded in the middle of the desert. Every inch of my body and mind hurting and cold.
I broke my bike, I broke myself but none in vain, because what’s gained here is priceless.
I was heartbroken but I no longer am. I am super full of energy now.
I was heartbroken but I no longer am. I am super full of energy now.
All 5 rounds of the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship are complete, and I’m proud to be the only Indian present at every single round.
India may be one flag… but I carried millions of dreams. »
