Hero MotoCorp celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Hero MotoSports Team Rally by announcing a five-year extension of its partnership with Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), promoter of the Dakar Rally and FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, while also launching a new driver development initiative called India’s Next Dakaro (INDH).The company also confirmed that 18-year-old Indian racer Shlok Ghorpade has entered the Hero MotoSports Team Rally setup. The announcements were made during a commemorative event 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 rally-raid competition. Selected athletes will undergo a structured training program over two to three years covering navigation, riding skills, endurance, fitness and race preparation. The initiative aims to pave the way for Indian athletes to progress from domestic events to events such as the Dakar Rally and the World Rally-Raid Championship.Hero MotoSports said the program is based on decades of experience in international rally racing. The company already took a step in this direction in September 2025, when Indian rider Arun Thayappa made his rally-raid debut at the Cierzo Rally in Spain with the Hero 450 Rally prototype.As part of its talent development efforts, Hero MotoSports has signed Shlok Ghorpade from Satara, Maharashtra. Young won several national supercross titles and emerged as the fastest Indian rider in the Indian Supercross League. He has already started training alongside World Rally-Raid champion Ross Branch and other factory drivers in Morocco with a race simulation program as part of his preparation for the upcoming Dakar.
The anniversary event was attended by several members of the team’s international riding squad, including Ross Branch, Nacho Cornejo and Michael Docherty, Indian rider Shlok Gorpade and professional biker Somya “Moksha” Chaudhary. Team manager Wolfgang Fischer, National MotoSports boss Jordi Grau, dealers, partners and members of the motorsport community were also in attendance.Founded in 2016, Hero MotoSports Team Rally was created to compete in international rally-raid events while serving as a platform for the development of technology under extreme working conditions. Since then, the team has competed in the Dakar Rally and the World Rally-Raid Championship, securing several podiums and race wins. One of the team’s biggest achievements was winning Ross Branch the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship title in 2024. Hero MotoCorp said the latest announcements are aimed at strengthening its long-term presence in global rallying, while also creating opportunities for Indian riders to compete at the highest level of the sport.Speaking on this momentous occasion, Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp said, “Over the past ten years, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has evolved from a bold ambition to a globally respected rally racing team that proudly represents India on the world stage. This milestone firmly marks our achievements for the future.Renewing our partnership with ASO reinforces our long-term commitment to global rallying. Furthermore, India’s Next Dakar Hero program reflects our deep belief that India has vast untapped motorsport talent waiting to be discovered and nurtured. By welcoming Shlok Ghorpade to the team, we aim to build a sustainable path for local Indian riders to compete and excel at the highest levels of the sport. Together, these initiatives represent the next chapter in our journey to create a lasting rally-raid legacy for India.
