Visakhapatnam, 7 February 2026: Braving a fractured left ankle, and pumping in pain killer injections, Basil Sunny of Ernakulam rode the moto of his life to win his maiden National title while Rugved Barguje reclaimed the premier class National crown as Visakhapatnam witnessed a memorable night of Indian two-wheel motorsport as the MRF MoGrip Godspeed Racing FMSCI Indian National Supercross Championship 2025 concluded in front of near-packed stands at the GVMC Indira Priyadarshini Municipal Stadium here on Saturday.
Headlining the finale was Pune’s Rugved Barguje, who reclaimed the premier SX1 National title after a year’s gap, sealing the championship with a composed double podium in the final round’s two motos. He became a six-time National champion, including his third major title in the premier class as he capped a season built on consistency and race craft.
The championship was promoted by Godspeed Racing, headed by seven-time National champion Shyam Kothari, along with a dedicated group of marshals and officials who ensured the event ran smoothly. The Vizag round was historic in more ways than one. It marked the first time the coastal city hosted a Supercross event, or for that matter any of the dozen Nationals in motorsports disciplines of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (fmsci)*, and the responsibility was carried impressively by the local RRR Motor Sports Association. Led by Rishi and ably assisted by a committed team of volunteers, the club delivered a high-class event despite being its maiden National championship. The 1.2-km custom Supercross track was fast and drew widespread praise from riders and teams for its high speed and technical beauty. Fast straights flowed into tight rhythm sections, technical berms, whoops and sharply timed jump combinations, and a table-top, made it a circuit where precision mattered as much as skill and bravery. Under the floodlights, the stadium delivered an atmosphere worthy of a championship decider.
The sixth and final round produced scintillating action across nine classes, and in the marquee Class 1 SX1 Group A up to 500cc category, the championship went down to the last moto. In the SX1 class, Prajwal Vishwanath of Petronas TVS Racing team stole the show on the night with a flawless performance, winning both motos to take the round victory and was named Best Rider of the Day. But 25-year-old Rugved Barguje held his nerve to keep out challenger Ikshan Shanbagh of Satara, who crashed on lap three. Though Shanbagh showed resilience to remount and claw back a 50-metre deficit, he finished just outside the podium, handing the title to his mentor, Rugved Barguje. The two Petronas TVS Racing teammates had been locked in a close fight in the first moto, with just five points separating them in Barguje’s favour. However, Shanbagh finished ahead of the Pune star to cut the lead to three points and looked well placed to mount a serious challenge, but it was not his day.
Defending champion Shlok Ghorpade, returning after an injury-hit season, showed flashes of pace and determination, while Manikandan K completed the leading group. When the calculations were done, it was Barguje’s ability to stay in the top three rather than chase risky wins that delivered him the 2025 crown.
The SX2 category for Group A bikes up to 500cc also went down to the final moto of the season. Amal Verghese took the race win on the day, but the contest was marred by a highly controversial incident that could have dramatically altered the championship outcome.
Championship leader Basil Sunny of Ernakulam had a poor start but rode brilliantly to climb into second place by lap three. As he closed in, contact occurred when Verghese moved across his line into the berm and exited in a jiffy, as Sunny was sent crashing to the ground. From trackside and on available video footage, the move appeared aggressive and raised serious questions about whether it was a racing error or a deliberate block that went too far. The fall left Sunny momentarily out of contention and put his title hopes in jeopardy.
In a remarkable display of grit, Sunny remounted, resumed the race, and fought back to salvage crucial points. Despite the setback, he rose like a phoenix and did just enough to secure the championship by a single point, completing one of the most hard-earned title victories of the season and in recent history. The incident is likely to be discussed in racing circles, as moments like these highlight the fine line between hard racing and actions that may warrant closer scrutiny.
The SX2 championship story also belonged to Basil Sunny for another unique reason. He underlined the value of relentless consistency. Though he did not win a single moto across the six rounds, Basil finished near the front throughout the season, collecting enough steady points to clinch his maiden National title. His campaign was a masterclass in race management, proving that finishing every moto strongly can be more valuable than occasional victories. The Vizag round itself saw Amal Verghese take the top honours, with Nithyan L and Rohit Shinde also featuring prominently, but the championship belonged to the quiet efficiency of the rider from Kerala.
In the Novice class, Shailesh Kumar emerged as one of the standout performers of the season and added another strong result in Vizag to confirm his position at the top. His smooth riding style and ability to handle pressure in tight racing situations marked him out as a future contender in higher categories. Jayden W N and Abhi S Nath were again in the thick of the action, with the class delivering close, spirited racing that kept the crowd engaged.
The Indian Experts category saw Banteilang Jyrwa stamp his authority on the season and clinch the National title with commanding performances. Known for his aggressive starts and confident cornering, Jyrwa maintained control of the championship battle and sealed his crown with rounds to spare. Arun T and Sachin D continued to challenge strongly in Vizag, but the overall honours had already tilted decisively in Banteilang’s favour.
In the Private Experts division, Abhi S Nath also secured the championship title in his class, capping a season where he balanced speed with smart race decisions. The Vizag event saw intense competition through the field, but Nath’s earlier points haul ensured he arrived at the finale with the upper hand and left as national champion.
The junior categories once again highlighted the depth of talent rising through Indian Supercross. In JR SX1, Jinendra Sangave had already wrapped up the championship in Goa with a lead of over 40 points, a testament to his dominance and consistency across the season. Even with the title secured, he continued to ride with considered pace and maturity, underlining why he has been one of the most impressive young riders this year.
The 85cc JR SX2 championship belonged to Chaitanya Joshi, fondly known in the paddock as “Professor” for his calm and calculated approach. Joshi had sealed the title earlier in Goa with a commanding 46-point lead over Darshit Chavan, effectively wrapping up the championship with a round and two motos to spare. In Vizag, he rode smartly again, finishing fourth in the first moto before winning the second, a performance that summed up his season: measured when needed, attacking when it mattered. Darshit Chavan took the overall round win in Vizag, but the championship crown had already been decided in Joshi’s favour thanks to his season-long consistency.
In the youngest championship class, JR SX3, Vismay Ram Y and Armaan Khan thrilled spectators with their speed and control on the small-capacity machines. Their battles throughout the year have showcased impressive skill and composure at a very young age, providing a glimpse into the sport’s future.
A demonstration ride by young S P Rithvik Raju on a 50cc machine brought smiles to the crowd and reminded everyone that the next generation of riders is already lining up behind the current crop of champions.
As the dust settled on a dramatic evening, the 2025 championship story stood out for the different ways titles were won. Rugved Barguje reclaimed the top SX1 crown through experience and composure, Basil Sunny proved consistency can beat outright speed, and young stars like Chaitanya Joshi and Jinendra Sangave demonstrated that dominance can come early with the right mix of talent and discipline. For Visakhapatnam, the successful hosting of the finale signalled its arrival on the national Supercross map, and for Indian motorsport, it was a fitting end to a season defined by close racing, emerging talent and well-earned champions.
Provisional Champions 2025:
Class 1: Rugved Barguje, TVS RTR 300 FX, TVS Racing, Pune; (201 points);
Class 2: Basil Sunny, Pvt, Kawasaki KX250, Ernakulam; (171);
Class 3: Shaileshkumar, TVS RTR 200, Petronas TVS Racing (106);
Class 4: Banteilang Jyrwa, Meghalaya, TVS RTR 200, Petronas TVS Racing (196);
Class 5: Abhi S Nath, Adat PO, Thrussur district, Hero Xpulse, (108);
Class 6: Jinendra Sangave, Kawasaki KX250, Ichalkaranji (197);
Class 7: Chaitanya Joshi, Pune, Gas Gas MC85, (215);
Class 8: Vismay Ram, Bengaluru, KTM SX85 (227).
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