Hero MotoSports Team Rally has revealed its lineup of riders for the forthcoming Dakar Rally 2025. As the sole factory Indian team competing in Dakar, Hero will enter the rally with a trio of riders: Nacho Cornejo, Sebastian Buhler, and Ross Branch, who will be riding the Hero 450 rally motorcycles. The 2025 Dakar Rally is scheduled to occur in Saudi Arabia from January 3 to January 17, 2025.

Hero MotoSports at Dakar 2025.

Hero MotoSports Team Rally has been competing in the Dakar Rally for the past eight years and is making its return to Saudi Arabia for the sixth consecutive time. The team achieved a notable podium finish in the 2024 edition of the rally. This year marked a significant milestone for Hero, as they secured their first podium position with an outstanding overall second-place finish. Team rider Ross Branch demonstrated remarkable performance by leading the race for four days and maintaining the second position for eight days throughout the 12 stages. This accomplishment establishes Hero as the first Indian factory team to reach the Dakar podium.

Regarding the team's participation in Dakar 2025, Wolfgang Fischer, Team Manager of Hero MotoSports Team Rally, stated, "The year 2024 has been remarkable for us, marked by significant milestones and accomplishments. Achieving second place at Dakar — a historic first for any Indian manufacturer — along with securing the 2024 World Championship, has elevated our standing and recognition within the motorsports community. As we look forward to Dakar 2025, we face a greater challenge with heightened expectations, yet we are thoroughly prepared. The team is in optimal condition, and ready to tackle any obstacles that may arise.

"We are entering the 2025 season with a more robust three-rider lineup than ever before, and our Hero 450 Rally motorcycles have been meticulously optimized to handle the most demanding conditions. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners and fans globally for their unwavering support. With their confidence in us, we are highly optimistic about delivering an exhilarating performance at Dakar 2025 and bringing even greater pride to the Hero MotoSports family," he further remarked.

Hero MotoSports' Trio of Riders Competing in Dakar 2025.

The Indian team is now poised to capitalize on this momentum. It has also become the sixth manufacturer to secure an FIM World Championship, marking a historic achievement for an Indian team, with rider Ross Branch being crowned the FIM Rally-Raid World Champion of 2024.

This will be Branch's third participation with Hero MotoSports at the Dakar, where he will be vying for the title. In the meantime, Sebastian Buhler narrowly missed out on his first Dakar stage victory in 2024 and aims to maximize his chances of reaching the podium in 2025. The factory rider has demonstrated consistent performance this year, having achieved his first podium finish in an FIM World Championship race at Rally Raid Portugal, where he placed second overall.

Additionally, Nacho Cornejo is the newest addition to Hero MotoSports and will be making his debut at Dakar with the team. The Chilean rider previously secured fourth place in the 2020 Dakar, achieving nine stage victories. Cornejo's expertise was also crucial in supporting Ross Branch during the Rallye Du Maroc 2024.

2025 Dakar Rally: Essential Information You Should Be Aware Of.

The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally is set to commence next month, featuring a prologue and 12 stages beginning on January 3, 2025. The rally will initiate in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, and will traverse over 7,700 kilometres through the vast desert terrain. This year's event will include five stages with distinct courses for FIM and FIA vehicles, accounting for 45 per cent of the timed distance. Additionally, the 2025 Dakar will introduce new challenges for participants, including the reintroduction of the 48-hour Chrono stage.

Furthermore, the 2025 Dakar will serve as the inaugural race for the fourth edition of the World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC). Hero MotoSports will participate in the Rally GP category of W2RC 2025, competing in all five rounds, starting with the Dakar, followed by the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in February, the South African Safari Rally in May, the BP Ultimate Rally Raid in Portugal in September, and concluding with the Rallye du Maroc in October 2025.

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