Hero MotoSports makes a big announcement at the Dakar: Completes 10 years

Hero MotoCorp marked the 10th anniversary of the Hero MotoSports Team Rally by announcing a five-year extension of its partnership with Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the sponsor of the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, while also launching a new rider development initiative called ‘India’s Next Dakar Hero’ (INDH).The company also confirmed the induction of 18-year-old Indian racer Shlok Ghorpade to the Hero MotoSports Team Rally setup. The announcements were made during a commemorative event held at Hero MotoCorp’s Center for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur. The INDH program is aimed at identifying and developing Indian off-road racing talent for international rally-raid competition. The selected riders will undergo a structured training program for two to three years, which includes navigation, riding skills, endurance, fitness and race preparation. The initiative is intended to create a pathway for Indian riders to progress from domestic competition to events such as the Dakar Rally and the World Rally-Raid Championship.Hero MotoSports said the program builds on the experience gained during its decade of involvement in international rally racing. The company has already taken a step in this direction in September 2025, when Indian rider Arun Thayappa made his rally-raid debut at the Cierzo Rally in Spain aboard the Hero 450 Rally prototype.As part of talent development efforts, Hero MotoSports has signed Shlok Ghorpade from Satara, Maharashtra. The youngster has won several national titles in supercross and has emerged as India’s fastest rider in the India Supercross League. He has begun training with reigning World Rally-Raid champion Ross Branch and other factory riders, with a race simulation program in Morocco forming part of his preparation for his upcoming participation in the Dakar.

The anniversary event was attended by several members of the team’s international rider line-up, including Ross Branch, Nacho Cornejo and Michael Docherty, along with Indian rider Shlok Ghorpade and professional biker Somyya “Moksha” Chaudhary. Team Manager Wolfgang Fischer, Head of National MotoSports Jordi Grau, dealers, partners and members of the motorsport community will also be present.Founded in 2016, the Hero MotoSports Team Rally was established to compete in international rally-raid events while serving as a platform for technology development under extreme operating conditions. Since then, the team has competed in the Dakar Rally and the World Rally-Raid Championship, earning numerous podium finishes and race victories. One of the team’s biggest achievements was in 2024 when Ross Branch won the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship title. Hero MotoCorp said the latest announcements are aimed at strengthening its long-term presence in global rally racing while creating opportunities for Indian riders to compete at the highest level of the sport.Speaking about this milestone, Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Over the past decade, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has grown from a bold ambition to a globally respected rally racing team, proudly representing India on the world stage.Renewing our partnership with ASO reinforces our long-term commitment to global rally racing. Furthermore, the India’s Next Dakar Hero program reflects our deep belief that India has a wealth of untapped motorsport talent waiting to be discovered and nurtured. By welcoming Shlok Ghorpade to the team, we aim to build a sustainable pathway for indigenous Indian riders to compete and succeed at the highest level of the sport. Together, these initiatives represent the next chapter in our journey to create a lasting rally-raid legacy for India.