What is it that drives a man who has recorded seven back-to-back victories in the national motorcycle racing championship? An adrenaline-junkie, Jagan Kumar has worked his way up against all odds. He’s a person who has won in every situation and fought for a place on the podium even when the conditions were unfavourable. Here is what drives this man with exceptional grit and determination.
1. How has TVS Racing Team helped you in shaping your approach towards racing?
TVS Racing has been the most significant pillar of my racing career. Since I started racing with them, I have had access to the best equipment and all my requirements concerning my training have been fulfilled. Be it arranging bikes or providing necessary equipment, the company has ensured that I grow as an international racer. I have been trained by people from across the globe to ensure I don't miss out on any style of riding or inputs, which have helped me grow as an international racer. It has been one memorable journey with the TVS Racing team and I look forward to securing more podiums as soon as we kick-start the racing season.
2. How do you monitor your health and fitness?
I follow a set routine and keep a track of my activities throughout the day. I usually train for an hour daily, accompanied by cycling on alternate days along the week, which is paired with swimming on other days.
3. Could you give us an insight into your daily routine?I wake up early, start with ground exercises, and train for around two hours or so. Then, I rest for a while, which is followed by my breakfast and watching some technical videos or going through my previous races. I spend quality time understanding and studying various races and try to pick up techniques from them. In the second half, I spend my time cycling or go for a swim. I also dedicate my time in practising basic stunt riding on my bicycle, which helps me clear my mind and also hone my riding skills.
4. Do you follow any specific diet? What does your regular diet include?
My regular diet consists of meals which everyone eats in their day-to-day life. However, I ensure my diet consists of healthy and organic ingredients. I begin my day with sprouted pulses which are accompanied by fruits. My meals are prepared using a lot of fresh vegetables and non-fatty ingredients. I hardly ever indulge in any type of junk food.
5. Apart from physical training and your diet, what other practices do you follow to attain a focused state of mind?
Apart from my training and physical exercises, I also meditate to improve concentration and achieve a focused state of mind. As I've said earlier, riding a bicycle helps me to focus and perform better on the track.
6. Does your sleep cycle affect your results on the track?
Yes, it does. Sleeping well is extremely important if you have to give your hundred percent on the following day. I firmly believe that not only before race days but also in day-to-day life, sleeping for a good seven to eight hours is very important. If a person doesn't sleep well, he or she will never be able to perform to the best of their ability. Even on race days, I sleep immediately post-dinner. My team has also adopted the routine in recent times and all of us prefer going to bed early to ensure that we get enough rest before the race day.
7. What do you prefer - mountains or beaches?
I love mountains, but beaches will always be my preferable option. I was born in a coastal area, so beaches have always been my go-to place since childhood. Whenever I have to spend some quality time, I end up going to one of my favourite beaches and soak in some peace for a while to calm my mind.
8. What do you prefer - track days or touring?
Track days will always be my answer. I love speed, which is the primary reason I'm in this profession. It's not that I hate touring but the fact that speeding on public roads is neither advisable nor safe, which makes race tracks the only place for me to get my adrenaline pumping. I enjoy the rush of blood through my body, the reason why I love racing!
9. What is your dream ride destination?
I would love to ride to the Himalayas and ride in Ladakh. I haven't had the opportunity to ride there, yet. But I'm looking forward to it!
10. What is your advice to the upcoming generation about motorsports as a career?
The best advice I can give is practise, practise and practise!
Riders need to understand that the only thing which will make them a better rider is practising. In other countries, participants ride and practise on tracks on an almost daily basis. They compete with each other regularly and hence are equally skilled due to their dedicated practice sessions.
In India, we don't follow the same pattern, our races are limited, and our practice sessions are short. If one doesn’t invest time in growing as a rider, then he or she would never be able to compete against international competitors. They should aim for MotoGP and only then will they be able to score at least one international podium of their career.
11. What is your motto? In racing and real life?
My motto is to keep on learning every day and practising. I dream to score a podium at one of the international races and hear the echoes of our national anthem at the stadium. Ironically so, back in 2015, when I had won the podium, and it was time to play the national anthem, due to some technical fault, it did not happen. I have been waiting ever since for a day like that to arrive.
12. How would you describe a racing career in comparison to other mainstream opportunities?
What I have observed about the younger generation is that they need to change their approach towards racing. Youngsters show up at racetracks as privateers and on their very first day, they get busy uploading pictures on social media, looking for sponsors, and investing time in almost everything apart from performing well on the track. Riders need to understand that they will only get sponsors if they perform well during the racing season. Once you enter the world of motorsports, growing as a rider should be your only goal. If you are doing well and if you're getting better at it, things will eventually fall into place.
The best advice I can give to the current generation for choosing motorsport as a career is that only take this up if you want to be the best rider out there. While you’re at it, don't try to seek a job or hunt for sponsors. Instead, spend your time and thoughts on developing yourself to become a better rider. Your goal should be reserving your place on the podium and not converting your hobby into money.