Aishwarya Pissay scripts history: First Indian, Asian woman biker enters FIM W2RC

Hyderabad: Aishwarya Pissay has created motorsport history by becoming the first woman from Asia and India to race on two wheels at the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).

She entered Round 4 of the series, the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal 2025, held from September 22 to 28 across Portugal and Spain.

Entry as a privateer with institutional support

Pissay competed in the W2RC Rally2, Women’s class as a privateer rider. Her campaign is backed by an elite group of partners, with TVS Racing as a key supporter. This arrangement represents a new model in Indian motorsport, combining the independence of a solo rider with the structured support of an established team.

“I’m proud to represent India and Asia at this level. Racing as an independent competitor with the support of TVS Racing and our ecosystem of partners makes this mission even more meaningful. This is a bold step forward for me, and for every girl who dreams of Dakar,” Pissay said.

The Rally: 2000 km on dirt and gravel

The BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal 2025 covers a total distance of 2,000 km, including five stages and a prologue. The route runs through the regions of Alentejo and Ribatejo in Portugal and Extremadura in Spain and is held entirely on gravel and dirt tracks.

The event is one of the toughest in the rally-raid calendar, demanding navigation, endurance and mechanical resilience, qualities that are central to the discipline and critical preparation for the Dakar Rally.

Road to Dakar 2027

Pissay’s campaign in Portugal is part of her long-term goal to race at Dakar 2027.

If successful, she will become the first Indian and the first Asian woman to compete and finish the Dakar Rally on two wheels. The Dakar is widely regarded as the most gruelling motorsport event in the world, spanning thousands of kilometres across deserts and extreme terrains.

About rally-raid and India’s growing presence

Rally-raid, also known as cross-country rallying, tests competitors across long distances with stages running over unmarked routes.

Riders must rely on navigation roadbooks while managing fatigue and mechanical risks. The World Rally-Raid Championship, sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), is the top-tier global competition for the discipline.

India’s presence in rally-raid has grown steadily over the past decade, with TVS Racing being the first Indian factory team to enter the Dakar.

Pissay’s entry marks another milestone in this trajectory, signalling broader opportunities for Indian riders in the international circuit.

Aishwarya Pissay’s background

Aishwarya Pissay, 29, from Bengaluru, is one of India’s most successful women riders. She is the first Indian woman to win a world title in motorsport, securing the 2019 FIM Bajas World Cup.

She has multiple national championships to her name across rally and circuit racing disciplines.

Her career has been marked by resilience, including a comeback after a severe crash in 2017 that required multiple surgeries.

Pissay has since positioned herself as a leading figure in Indian motorsport, inspiring younger riders while actively pursuing international competition.