This year, Dakar drivers will not be able to display their country’s flags on their vehicles, overalls and helmets at the Dakar. The one that will be famous Tosha Schareina (03/06/1995, Valencia) is humility. That is one of the values that stand out the most in a 28-year-old pilot who knows how to suffer and wait for his chance, to take advantage of the incredible advantage in the first door that is opened for him to lighten up He will play his third Dakar by motorcycle next January 2024, the first as a factory rider, in one of the best teams, the Monster Energy Honda Teamalready behind one of the motorcycles fighting for the overall victory. Tosha Schareina will be released in favorites.
The road was not easy for a boy who always dreamed of this occasion. With a German father, from near Hannover, and a Spanish mother, the Valencian rider fell in love with motorcycles when he saw his uncle Mariano competing off-road. At the age of 7, his wish to own his first motorcycle came true. That kid grew up competing in motocross and made it to the Enduro World Championship. But his dream has always been to become a professional rally driver to be in the event of his dreams, the Dakar.
He debuted in 2021 as the second best rookie on a motorcycle, with 13th overall. He was going to dedicate himself in 2022 to a private project with Jorge Martínez Aspar, but at the last minute he was left without Dakar and had to cut short his dream. “It’s a stick. But in those moments you have to figure out how to change the chip and move forward. “That’s when the difference is made,” he told MD.. There, he showed courage. “I know you have to be patient,” he added. He showed great projection, but in the 2023 Dakar he will have to start again from scratch. Two years later, few will remember what Tosha did two years ago and he had to perform again with a private, stock motorcycle.
The first week he had to ride with a poor grip on the steering wheel because he broke the little finger on one hand in a fall. This leads to tendinitis. But again, he knows how to wait for his chance to accelerate in the second week and show good speed among the 10 or 15 best in the world, all of them with better mounts. He deserves a winning bike, but there are very few positions available on the official teams.
The occasion of your life
“Honda and I have been talking for a long time. “After the Dakar and at the end the Team Manager, Ruben Faria, gave me the opportunity to ride the bike.”. Shortly before the FIM W2RC Raid World Rally event held in Mexico. “We rode the Honda for 5 days for the first time and went straight to Mexico.” And what happened at that Sonora Rally is history. In his first World Cup event with an official motorcycle, Tosha finished second.
“I tried not to get pressured. In the end, whenever you climb an official structure you have extra pressure, but I tried to escape and we did it. How is it done? Of course, you have nerves. But I think all of us drivers always put pressure on ourselves, because you know everything behind you and all the support from the people, the structure, the team, but when you’re under pressure, that’s when you make mistakes. And avoiding all of that is what makes the difference.”. It worked for him. Came to try it and was surprised. He competed without considering that this might be his only chance and his last Honda race: “I didn’t think about that. I just thought I’d get on the bike and find out what I know how to do, which is to ride.”
After that big debut, it continued to be tested in the following races. Nothing changed. It had to be confirmed. And on their second date he made the ground with his strength. He won the Ruta 40 Challenge in Argentina. A star is born.
“For Mexico, it was riding the bike and seeing what happened, because it came from Dakar when we did good stages but not a good result. Honda bet on me. It was to be tested in the following World Championship races and all went very well. We rode race after race to see how it went. We went to Argentina and we were able to win and from there everything got easier.”.
“The team was not expected to win so early. They are super happy. But what surprised me more was the whole team, even though I was the leader, they told me to be calm, don’t worry about anything, just drive. And we did it.”argument.
Tosha ended the year like this for her official announcement by Monster Energy Honda of its inclusion in the official range.
“This is the result of the work of many people over a long period of time, not just mine. The opportunity has come and we know how to take advantage of it. We’ve done a great job all season but hey, “Now comes the real challenge and we have to face it head on,” he added about Dakar.
Replaced his idol Barreda in the fight for all
“You have to keep your feet on the ground, continue in the same line, continue working and have the same humility,” he said as he wondered if he was among the favorites. But when MD asked him if he could win, his answer was clear: “All the pilots are fighting for the maximum. We had a good season but the acid test has come. But if I said I wouldn’t fight for victory, I’d be lying to you.”
Schareina likes the Touareg, because two Spaniards have already conquered the motorcycles in the history of the Dakar: Nani Roma (2004) and Marc Coma (2006, 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2015). Then, Joan Barreda, the much-applauded idol from the couch at Tosha’s house, tried with no luck. Exactly, Joan assures MD that Tosha has the makings of a champion and “very good character.”
“Everyone from my family knows that I watched Dakar when I was older because Joan Barreda was there. I’m in Dakar because people like Joan inspired me to get there. That someone like him can say that a honor”, the one from Valencia answered MD. Now, the Valencian has to occupy a place recently occupied by Torreblanca at Honda. He wants to go for success.
“My feet are on the ground. It doesn’t matter how good the results are. You always have to be humble, because I believe that throughout your life as a pilot you have to develop yourself as a person. When the motorcycles run out all that’s left is you. All my people advised me and helped me stay grounded and humble. And that’s what I do.” he ended up in MD trying to introduce himself to those who don’t know him yet. He is a lover of extreme sports, of his native Valencia, of paella, because it cannot happen, and a great fan of ‘Fornite’ and eSports. Schareina has reached the top to stay.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
