Hero MotoCorp just marked the 10th anniversary of Hero MotoSports Team Rally at its Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur. It is a big moment that honours a decade of putting India firmly on the global rally racing map, and they are gearing up for an even bigger second decade with three major announcements.
A Decade of Defying Limits on the Global Stage
Established back in 2016, Hero MotoSports Team Rally was created by Hero MotoCorp to test out its cutting-edge technology on the world’s absolute toughest terrains. Over the last ten years, the team has grown from a bold ambition into a globally respected rally racing outfit, securing multiple podium finishes and landmark victories at elite international motorsport events like the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).
To celebrate ten years of global rally racing excellence, the team hosted a special event at its state-of-the-art Research and Development facility in Jaipur. The celebration brought together the team’s top racing stars, including:
- Ross Branch – The 2024 FIM World Rally-Raid Champion
- Nacho Cornejo – South America’s rally star
- Michael Docherty – South African rally-raid and motocross rider
- Shlok Ghorpade – India’s rising motocross and supercross rider
- Somyya “Moksha” Chaudhary – India’s pioneering professional woman biker
Key team architects like Wolfgang (Waffi) Fischer (Head of MotoSports and Team Manager) and Jordi Grau (Spanish rally expert and Head of National MotoSports) also attended alongside dealers, partners, and the wider MotoSports fraternity. Guests even got to witness a thrilling, exclusive off-road performance by the team’s stars showcasing their Dakar machines.
Locking in a 5-Year Partnership with ASO
The first big news out of the anniversary is that Hero MotoCorp has extended its partnership with the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO)—the masterminds behind the iconic Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship—for another five years. This renewed five-year association secures a long-term collaboration aimed at advancing the sport globally and opening up brand-new opportunities for emerging rally talent.
Launching ‘India’s Next Dakar Hero’ Program
Marking the milestone occasion, Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, announced the launch of ‘India’s Next Dakar Hero’ (INDH). This first-of-its-kind program is specifically designed to discover, develop, and champion the next generation of Indian rally-raid talent.
The INDH program will take promising young riders through a rigorous two-to-three-year development journey. They will get top-tier training in:
- Advanced riding technique
- Navigation skills
- Physical conditioning
- Endurance training
This completely builds upon Hero MotoSports’ existing rider development ecosystem. In fact, the team already saw a major milestone in September 2025 when national racing ace Arun Thayappa made his international rally-raid debut at the Cierzo Rally in Spain, riding the Hero 450 Rally prototype.
“Over the past decade, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has evolved from a bold ambition into a globally respected rally racing team… The India’s Next Dakar Hero program reflects our deep belief that India possesses immense untapped motosports talent waiting to be discovered and nurtured.” — Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp
Welcoming Shlok Ghorpade to the Team
To top off the big announcements, Hero MotoSports formally welcomed 18-year-old Shlok Ghorpade into the squad. Hailing from Satara, Maharashtra, the young off-road motorcycle racer has completely swept the National India Supercross circuit, taking every major title available and finishing as the fastest national racer in the India Supercross League.
As the newest rising star of Hero MotoSports Team Rally, Shlok has already started training right alongside World Champion Ross Branch and the core team. His dedicated pathway to the Dakar Rally will see him head off to an intensive race simulation program in Morocco very soon.
With a secured five-year ASO partnership, a brand-new talent program, and fresh blood in the team, Hero MotoCorp is fully geared up to build a lasting rally-raid legacy for India over the next decade.
