It is a case of being so near and yet so far. Despite Indian bike racers dominating the Asian arena and getting opportunities to reach higher levels internationally, lack of funds have always short circuited their hopes.  It is all the more disappointing when for the first time an Indian rider gets an opportunity to race in the international Grand Prix but fails to make it because the money did not reach the team in time.

For Chennai rider Preetham Dev Moses the last couple of weeks have been harrowing, disappointing and a saga of dismay. Preetham, who was poised to become the first Indian to race in the Moto GP races to be held in Malaysia on 19th October and in Valencia, Spain, on 26th October, will not be doing so as he failed to get the required financial support in time from the sponsors. The delay in transfer of funds resulted in his team Aprilia handing over the bike to a Spanish rider. However the brighter side of the story is that with sufficient time left for the 2009 Moto GP series, Preetham is confident that he will be able to generate the required funds and additional sponsors which will enable him to race in the entire Moto GP series next year.

Preetham had recently became the first Indian bike racer to test for MotoGP at the Zuhai International Circuit in China on 1st and 2nd September 2008.

To  get enough basic practice  and not to lose the racing touch, the ace racer from Chennai now plans to race in UAE Super Sports Championship (November to March) and also take part in FIM Asian Championship in China in December.

Preetam testing 125cc Zongshen GP motorcycle

Good sponsorship and continuous support is what Preetham needs at this critical juncture. If the financial hurdles are cleared, Preetham with his tremendous will power to succeed is sure to garner more laurels for the nation in the coming days.

Preetham is currently sponsored by Airtel, TVS & Red Rooster Racing and co-sponsored by Xtreme Sports Bar & Livelife.