Hero Moto-Sports Team Rally, the motorsport division of Hero MotoCorp, has unveiled its team for the 2025 Dakar Rally, marking their ninth consecutive appearance in the prestigious event. The team, which made history in 2024 with a podium finish, will field a three-rider squad for the 2025 edition, set to take place from January 3rd to 17th in Saudi Arabia.
The 2025 squad includes:
- Nacho Cornejo, a highly skilled Chilean rider making his debut with Hero Moto-Sports at Dakar.
- Sebastian Buhler, a consistent performer with a strong track record, including a second-place finish at the 2024 Rally Raid Portugal.
- Ross Branch, the 2024 FIM World Rally-Raid Champion and Hero MotoSports’ first podium finisher at Dakar, returning for his third Dakar with the team.
The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally will feature 12 stages covering 7,700 kilometres of challenging desert terrain. A major highlight is the return of the 48-hour Chrono stage, where competitors will be required to shut off their engines at sunset and survive overnight in the desert. Additionally, five stages will feature separate courses for FIM and FIA vehicles, covering 45 percent of the timed distance.
Hero Moto-Sports has set new benchmarks in motorsport with the 2024 Dakar Rally, where Ross Branch finished second overall, securing Hero MotoCorp’s first-ever podium achievement. The team also claimed the 2024 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, marking a history as the first Indian manufacturer to win the title.
With a strong lineup and finely tuned Hero 450 Rally bikes, the team is well-prepared for the challenges ahead in Dakar 2025. Team Manager Wolfgang Fischer explained that while expectations are high, the team is confident and ready to tackle the grueling conditions of the race.
Hero Moto-Sports will also compete in the World Rally Raid Championship 2025, starting with the Dakar Rally and continuing through five rounds, including the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, South African Safari Rally, BP Ultimate Rally Raid in Portugal, and Rallye du Maroc.
As Hero Moto-Sports charges ahead for its ninth consecutive Dakar Rally, the team’s strong performance in 2024 sets the stage for an even more competitive and ambitious 2025 season. With a motivated squad and a proven track record, the team is poised to take on the challenges of the world’s toughest rally.
