The incredible case of Tosha Chalayna: the Spaniard who chose to win the Dakar on a motorcycle

At this year’s Dakar, drivers will not be allowed to display their country’s flag on their cars, overalls or helmets.something shining Tosha Shalayna (March 6, 1995, Valencia) It’s humility. That is one of the most distinctive values ​​of a 28-year-old pilot who knew how to wait for an opportunity, even when suffering, to take incredible advantage of the first door that opened for him to shine.he will be playing for the third time dakar On a motorcycle next year in January 2024, First time as a factory rider for Monster Energy Honda Team, one of the best teamsriding on the back of one of the bikes that is already in contention for the overall win. Tosha Shalayna Your favorites will be released.

The road hasn’t been easy for a kid who always dreamed of this opportunity. The rider from Valencia, the son of a German father and Spanish mother from near Hannover, fell in love with motorcycles after watching his uncle Mariano compete off-road. When he was 7 years old, his wish to own a motorcycle came true for the first time. The boy grew up in motocross and reached the Enduro World Championship. However, his dream was always to become a professional rally driver and compete in his dream competition, the Dakar.

He debuted as the second-best rookie on two wheels in 2021, finishing 13th overall. He was due to clean up in 2022 on a private project with Jorge Martínez Aspar, but that dream had to be put on hold when he withdrew from the Dakar at the last minute. “It was a stick. But in such moments you need to know how to change chips and move forward. “That’s when it makes a difference,” he told MD.. There he showed his mettle. “He knew he had to be patient,” he added. He showed great promise, but in the 2023 Dakar he had to start from scratch again. Two years later, few people will remember what Tosha did two years ago, but he once again had to perform on a private stock bike.

During the first week, he had to ride with a difficult grip on the handlebars because he fell and broke the pinky finger of one hand. This caused tendonitis. But again, he waited for the opportunity to accelerate in the second week and knew how to show great pace among the best 10, or 15, in the world, all of whom have better horses. I was there. He deserved to get the winning bike, but he has very few positions available on the official team.

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“We have been talking to Honda for a long time. “After the Dakar and finally the team manager Ruben Faria gave me the opportunity to ride the bike.”. Shortly before the FIM W2RC Raid World Rally event in Mexico. “I rode my Honda for five days for the first time and then headed straight to Mexico.” And what happened at the Sonora Rally was history, as Tosha finished second in her first World Cup event on an official bike.

“I tried not to feel pressured. After all, there is always extra pressure when going up to an official building, but I tried to escape, and we were able to do it. How is it done? Of course it’s nerves. But I think all of us drivers put pressure on ourselves all the time. Because I know everything that’s behind me and all the support from the people, the structure, the team. But when you have that pressure, that’s when you make mistakes. And being away from it all makes a difference. ”. It worked for him. He came for the test and was surprised. He went into it without thinking that this was probably his only chance and it might be his last race with Honda. “I wasn’t thinking about any of that. I was just thinking about getting on a bike and learning how I know how to do it: riding.”

After its impressive debut, testing continued in subsequent races. Nothing had changed. I had to check that out. And on their second date, they shook the ground with their strength. Won the Luta 40 Challenge in Argentina. A star was born.

“For Mexico it was about getting on the bike and seeing what happens, because in Dakar I had a good stage but not a great result. Honda took a bet on me. We decided to test it at the next race of the World Championship and everything went very well. I looked at the situation race by race. We went to Argentina and won, and everything got easier from there. ”.

“The team did not expect to win so quickly. They were very happy. But what surprised me most about the whole team was that even though I was the leader, they settled down to me. So we were told to not worry about anything and just drive. So that’s what we did.”quarrel.

Tosha ended the year with him like this Official announcement of inclusion in official set by Monster Energy Honda.

“This is the result of many years of work, not only by me, but by many people. The opportunity has arrived and we know how to take advantage of it. We’ve done a great job all season, but… “The real challenge lies ahead, and we must face it with all our might.” He also added about the Dakar.

I will risk everything to fight and follow in the footsteps of my admired Baleda.

“I have to keep my feet on the ground, continue on the same path and continue to work with the same humility,” he says, reflecting on whether he is one of the favorites to win. But when MD asked him if he could beat him, his answer was clear. “All the pilots are giving their utmost effort. We are having a great season, but now comes the acid test. But I would be lying if I said we weren’t going to fight for the win. Sho.”

Shalayna wants a Touareg, as two Spaniards have already won the Dakar on motorcycles in its history. Nani Roma (2004) and Marc Koma (2006, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015). Then the idol João Barreda, who cheered loudly from the sofa in Tosha’s house, tried, but without any luck. To be more precise, Joan declared in MD that Tosha has the makings of a champion and has “very good qualities.”

“Everyone in my family knows that the reason I went to the Dakar when I was older was because of Joan Barreda. He gave me the inspiration for the Dakar. It’s an honor for someone like him to be able to say that.”replied the person from Valencia in an MD. Now the Valencian has to occupy the place recently occupied by Torreblanca at Honda. He wants to go for the win.

“I have my feet on the ground. It doesn’t matter how good the results are. You must always have humility. I believe that you have to grow yourself as a person through your life as a pilot. Because when the bike is gone, all that’s left is you. All the people around me have given me advice and helped me stay grounded and humble. is my way.” He ended up coming to MD trying to introduce himself to people who didn’t know him yet. He loves Extreme his sport, his hometown Valencia, and most of all paella, and is also a big fan of “Fornite” and his eSports. Shalayna rose to the top with the goal of staying.