Hero MotoSports Unveils Squad for 2025 Dakar Rally

Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport division of Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest motorcycle and scooter manufacturer, has announced its three-rider lineup for the 2025 Dakar Rally. Riding high on a historic podium finish in the 2024 edition, the team is poised for another groundbreaking performance at the grueling event, scheduled from January 3 to 17, 2025, in Saudi Arabia.

The squad includes Rally GP class riders Nacho Cornejo, Sebastian Buhler, and 2024 FIM World Rally-Raid Champion Ross Branch. Hero MotoSports aims to build on its 2024 achievements, including its landmark second-place overall finish at Dakar, making it the first Indian manufacturer to secure a podium at the prestigious rally.

Key Riders and Achievements

• Ross Branch: Nicknamed the "Kalahari Ferrari," the Botswanan rider is gearing up for his third Dakar outing with Hero MotoSports. Branch, who dominated four stages in the 2024 Dakar and clinched the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, is among the top contenders for the 2025 title.
• Sebastian Buhler: The German-Portuguese rider, fresh off his first FIM World Championship race podium in 2024, is eager to clinch his maiden Dakar stage win.
• Nacho Cornejo: The Chilean star, making his Dakar debut with Hero MotoSports, brings extensive experience, including nine stage wins and a fourth-place finish in 2020.

Dakar 2025: A Tougher Challenge
The 47th Dakar Rally spans 7,700 kilometers of unforgiving desert terrain, featuring 12 stages and unique challenges like the return of the 48-hour Chrono stage. Competitors will also navigate five stages with separate routes for FIM and FIA vehicles, covering 45% of the timed distance.

The rally will also serve as the opening race for the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), with Hero MotoSports set to compete in all five rounds, including Abu Dhabi, South Africa, Portugal, and Morocco.

Team Optimism
Wolfgang Fischer, Team Manager of Hero MotoSports, expressed confidence in the team’s preparations:
"2024 was a landmark year for us. From our first Dakar podium to winning the FIM World Championship, the achievements have elevated our stature in global motorsport. As we gear up for Dakar 2025, we are more determined than ever to build on our success. With a stellar team and fine-tuned Hero 450 Rally bikes, we’re ready for the challenges ahead."

Hero MotoSports enters the 2025 Dakar Rally with a formidable lineup, aiming to further solidify its reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of rally racing.