Sarath Kumar, an 18-year old BBA student from Chennai who is inspired by Valentino Rossi, will be India's first motorbike rider to participate in the Moto GP 125 cc World Championship 2011.

Sarath, who used to zip around roads of southern India, owes a lot to mentor Rajni Krishnan who showed the lad how to prove his mettle on high-end sports bikes.

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that has come my way. I hope to make the country proud," Sarath told
MiD DAY.

He will race for Ten10 racing, an Indian motorcycle racing team, along with their newly formed Italian partners WTR who also will field an Italian rider.

Ramji Govindarajan, Ten10 team principal, has been the visionary in providing Sarath this opportunity.