Hero MotoSports Team Rallythe only factory Indian team competing in the prestigious Dakar Rally, has unveiled its three-rider squad for the 2025 edition of the grueling event. The team will feature Nacho Cornejo, Sebastian Buhlerand Ross Branchall riding the finely tuned Hero 450 Rally bikes. The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally is set to take place in Saudi Arabia from January 3 to January 17, 2025.
Hero MotoSports at Dakar: A Legacy of Excellence
Hero MotoSports has been a regular at the Dakar Rally for the past eight years and is heading to Saudi Arabia for the sixth consecutive year. The team made history in the 2024 Dakar Rally with a remarkable second-place overall finishthe first podium for an Indian manufacturer at Dakar.
- Ross Branch led the race for four days in 2024 and secured the second spot on eight stages out of the 12, marking a landmark achievement for Hero MotoSports.
- The team also claimed the 2024 FIM Rally-Raid World Championshipfurther cementing its status as a motorsport powerhouse.
Comments from the Team Manager
Reflecting on the team’s success and preparation, Wolfgang FischerTeam Manager of Hero MotoSports Team Rally, stated:
“2024 has been an incredible year for us, full of milestones and achievements. Finishing second at Dakar — a first for any Indian manufacturer — and winning the 2024 World Championship have given us a new level of respect and recognition in motorsports. Looking ahead to Dakar 2025, the challenge is bigger, the expectations are higher, but we come well-prepared.”
He emphasized the team’s confidence, saying:
“Our Hero 450 Rally bikes are fine-tuned to conquer even the most grueling conditions. With a stronger-than-ever three-rider squad, we are ready to deliver a thrilling performance and bring even more pride to the Hero MotoSports family.”
Meet Hero MotoSports' 2025 Dakar Riders
- Ross Branch:
- The reigning FIM Rally-Raid World Champion enters his third Dakar with Hero MotoSports.
- Aiming for the top spot, Branch has shown consistent dominance in rally events, including the Rally of Morocco 2024.
- Sebastian Buhler:
- Close to winning a Dakar stage in 2024, Buhler is targeting a podium finish this year.
- The factory rider secured his first FIM World Championship race podium at the Rally Raid Portugal.
- Nacho Cornejo:
- The newest recruit, Cornejo, brings years of experience with nine Dakar stage wins.
- Making his Hero MotoSports debut at Dakar, the Chilean rider will add versatility to the team’s lineup.
2025 Dakar Rally: A Race of Epic Proportions
The 47th Dakar Rally spans over 7,700 km across Saudi Arabia’s deserts, beginning in The month. It includes:
- Prologue and 12 stagesstarting January 3, 2025.
- Five stages with separate courses for FIM and FIA vehicles, covering 45% of the timed distance.
- Return of the 48-hour Chrono stagetesting competitors’ endurance and strategy.
The Dakar also serves as the opening round for the 2025 World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC)followed by four other events, including the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and Morocco Rally.
Comments are closed.