Hero MotoSports makes big Dakar announcement: 10th anniversary

Hero MotoCorp celebrates the 10th anniversary of Hero MotoSports Team Rally by announcing a five-year extension of its partnership with Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), promoter of the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally Championship, while also launching a new rider development program called ‘India’s Next Dakar Hero’ (INDH).The company also confirmed that 18-year-old Indian racer Shlok Ghorpade has joined the Hero MotoSports Team Rally squad. The news was announced during a commemorative event held at Hero MotoCorp’s Center for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur. The INDH program aims to identify and develop Indian off-road racing talent for international rallying. Selected riders will undergo a structured training program spanning two to three years covering navigation, riding skills, endurance, fitness and competition preparation. The move is aimed at creating a pathway for Indian drivers to upgrade from domestic competition to events such as the Dakar Rally and the World Rally Championship.Hero MotoSports said the program builds on its experience gained from participating in international rallies for a decade. The company has already taken a step in this direction when Indian driver Arun Thayappa made its debut at the Cierzo Rally in Spain in September 2025 in a Hero 450 Rally prototype.As part of its talent development efforts, Hero MotoSports has signed Shlok Ghorpade from Satara, Maharashtra. The youngster won multiple national supercross titles and became the fastest Indian rider in the Indian Supercross League. He has begun training with reigning world rally champion Ross Branch and other factory drivers, with a race simulation program in Morocco part of his preparation for a future Dakar appearance.

Several members of the team’s international rider lineup attended the anniversary event, including Ross Branch, Nacho Cornejo and Michael Docherty, as well as Indian rider Shlok Ghorpade and professional cyclist Somyya “Moksha” Chaudhary. The event was also attended by team manager Wolfgang Fischer, national motorcycling director Jordi Grau, dealers, partners and members of the motorsport community.Hero MotoSports Team Rally was established in 2016 to compete in international rally events while serving as a technology development platform for extreme operating conditions. Since then, the team has participated in the Dakar Rally and the World Rally Championship, achieving multiple podium finishes and race wins. One of the team’s biggest achievements was Ross Branch winning the FIM World Rallycross Championship in 2024. Hero MotoCorp said the latest announcement aims to strengthen its long-term presence in global rallying while creating opportunities for Indian riders to compete at the highest level of the sport.Commenting on this milestone, Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp said, “Over the past decade, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has grown from humble ambitions to a globally respected rally team that proudly represents India on the world stage. This milestone, while celebrating our past achievements, firmly defines our vision for the future.”Our renewed partnership with ASO strengthens our long-term commitment to rallying around the world. Additionally, India’s Next Dakar Heroes initiative reflects our strong 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 path for homegrown Indian riders to compete and excel at the highest levels of the sport. Together, these initiatives represent a new chapter in our journey to create a lasting rally legacy for India. “