TVS-backed rider Aishwarya Pissay wrapped up the 2019 FIM Bajas World Cup in a strong fashion, clinching overall victory in the women’s category of the championship in Hungary. With the title win under her belt, Pissay holds the distinction of being the first Indian to win the FIM Bajas World Cup.
Heading into the championship’s final rally, the Hungarian Baja, Pissay held a seven-point lead in the women’s category. Of course, her title bid was helped by the fact that she was the only female rider to participate in all four rounds of the championship - as the only female rider to complete the Dubai International Baja, she bagged valuable points in Round 1; and then added to that tally with a 3rd-place finish in Round 2 in Portugal. Round 3, the Baja Aragon in Spain, saw her finish 24th, overall; and despite being last in the women’s standings, a 5th-place finish handed her enough points for her to hold on to her championship lead.
Pissay’s closest title rival was Portuguese rider Rita Vieira. Vieira did finish ahead of Pissay at the season-ending Hungarian Baja, but a 4th-place finish, and 13th-place finish overall, was enough for the Indian rider to seal the title. Pissay ultimately won the championship with a total of 65 points – four points more than Vieira.
The 2019 FIM Bajas World Cup marked Pissay’s return to international rallying after recovering from an injury sustained at the 2018 Baja Aragon that put her out of action for several months. In addition to winning in the women’s category, she also finished 2nd overall in the junior category.
“It’s absolutely overwhelming. I am out of words. After what happened last year, my first international season, when I crashed in Spain Baja and suffered career-threatening injuries, to come out and win the championship, is a great feeling. It was a tough phase of my life, but I believed in myself and was determined to get back on the bike which I did after nearly six months. So, winning the World Cup is huge for me and I will look to better my performance having gained this experience.” Pissay said.