Ten years ago, the idea of an Indian manufacturer taking on the world’s toughest rally raids seemed ambitious. Today, Hero MotoSports Team Rally stands as one of the most recognisable names in international rally racing, and the team is marking that milestone in a big way.
Hero MotoCorp celebrated the tenth anniversary of Hero MotoSports Team Rally at its Centre for Innovation and Technology in Jaipur, bringing together riders, team members, partners, and motorsport enthusiasts to commemorate a decade of competing at the highest level of rally raid racing.
The occasion was not just about looking back at the team’s achievements. Hero used the event to announce three major initiatives that will shape the future of its rally programme. These include a five-year extension of its partnership with Dakar Rally organisers, the launch of a new rider development programme called India’s Next Dakar Hero, and the induction of rising Indian off-road racer Shlok Ghorpade into the factory team setup
The celebrations featured some of the biggest names associated with Hero MotoSports, including 2024 FIM World Rally-Raid Champion Ross Branch, Chilean rally star Nacho Cornejo and South African rider Michael Docherty. Also present was Shlok Ghorpade, who now becomes one of the youngest Indian riders to join Hero’s international rally development programme.
For Hero MotoSports, the story began in 2016 when the company entered global rally racing with the goal of testing its engineering capabilities in some of the harshest conditions on earth. Since then, the team has grown into a genuine force in the sport, competing regularly in the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship while securing podium finishes and stage victories along the way.
One of the biggest announcements from the event was the renewal of Hero MotoSports’ partnership with Amaury Sport Organisation, better known as ASO. The French organisation is responsible for running the Dakar Rally and the World Rally-Raid Championship, making it one of the most influential bodies in off-road motorsport.
The renewed five-year agreement signals Hero’s long-term commitment to rally raid racing and gives the Indian manufacturer a strong platform to continue competing on the world stage. It also opens the door for greater collaboration in developing future talent and expanding the sport’s reach.
That future talent pipeline is exactly what Hero hopes to address through its newly launched India’s Next Dakar Hero programme. Designed as a structured development pathway for aspiring Indian rally riders, the initiative aims to identify promising off-road racers and prepare them for international competition. Participants will undergo an intensive training programme spanning two to three years, focusing on riding skills, navigation techniques, physical fitness and endurance training, all crucial elements for success in rally raid events.
The programme builds upon Hero’s growing rider development ecosystem, which has already started producing encouraging results. One notable example came last year when Indian racer Arun Thayappa made his international rally raid debut at the Cierzo Rally in Spain aboard the Hero 450 Rally prototype.
Hero also confirmed that 18-year-old Shlok Ghorpade will become part of its long-term rally plans. Hailing from Satara in Maharashtra, Ghorpade has quickly established himself as one of India’s brightest off-road racing prospects.
Having dominated the national supercross scene and emerged as one of the fastest riders in the India Supercross League, he now takes the next step in his career. As part of his development programme, Ghorpade has already begun training alongside Ross Branch and other Hero MotoSports riders. He is also set to participate in race simulation exercises in Morocco as he begins his journey towards a potential Dakar Rally appearance.
What makes these announcements significant is that Hero is no longer just focused on competing internationally. The company is now actively investing in creating a pathway for Indian riders to reach the sport’s highest level.
As Hero MotoSports enters its second decade, the focus appears clear. Continue challenging for results at the front of the world’s toughest rallies while ensuring the next generation of Indian talent gets the opportunity to follow the same path. For Indian motorsport, that could prove to be just as important as any trophy.
