Bengaluru, Dec 5 (IANS): TVS Racing, the racing division of TVS Motor Company and Sherco Motorcycles, a French manufacturer specialising in off-road motorbikes, have come together to participate in the 2015 Dakar rally, under the banner of Sherco TVS Rally Factory team.

Two international riders Alain Dulcos and Fabien Planet, both of French origin, will don the colours of the Sherco TVS Rally Factory team and compete in the rally.

Announcing the association at a press conference here Friday, Arvind Pangaonkar, Head of TVS Racing, said: "We are building further on the success of TVS Racing. The racing motorcycles, christened RTR 450F, will be more competitive, lightweight and equipped with highly reliable 450cc engines developed and manufactured by the team at Sherco Motorcycles along with TVS Racing specifically for the 2015 Dakar Rally.

“The bikes will have a better overall design with a new fairing and several additional upgrades that enhance the bike’s ride handling.

“Under this special racing arrangement, engineers from TVS Racing will be working alongside the team from Sherco and its racing affiliates Mac Racing, Michelin, Selle Dalla Valle, Moto Master, Exact and F2r at the 2015 Dakar.”

The 2015 Dakar is scheduled to be held from Jan 3 to 17 in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

“The Dakar Rally is the ultimate motorcycling challenge. Nothing is really tougher than racing for two weeks across these incredibly hostile environments. Learning is bound to be huge.

“Through this arrangement, our engineers will get hands-on experience and deeper understanding of international racing programmes and improve the competitiveness of TVS Racing.

“TVS Racing experience is the basis for developing high performance motorcycles for our customers.” Pangaonkar added.