Hero MotoCorp celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Hero MotoSports Team Rally by announcing a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s presence in global rally racing, including a five-year extension of its partnership with Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the organizer of the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.
The milestone event, held at the company’s Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur, brought together leading rally stars, including 2024 FIM World Rally-Raid Champion Ross Branch, Nacho Cornejo, Michael Docherty and rising Indian racer ShlokGhorpade. India’s pioneering professional woman biker Somyya “Moksha” Chaudhary also attended the event.
Marking the occasion, Hero MotoCorp Executive Chairman Dr. PawanMunjal unveiled the **‘India’s Next Dakar Hero’ (INDH)** programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to identify, train and develop young Indian rally-raid riders for international competition. The structured programme will focus on riding skills, navigation, endurance and physical conditioning over a two-to-three-year period.
Hero MotoSports also inducted 18-year-old off-road racing talent ShlokGhorpade into its rally team. The Maharashtra rider, who has dominated the national supercross circuit, is set to undergo advanced training and race simulations in Morocco as part of his Dakar Rally development pathway.
Founded in 2016, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has emerged as one of the world’s leading rally-raid teams, securing multiple podium finishes and international victories over the past decade.
In Kolkata, Hero MotoCorp’s continued investment in global motorsport and rider development is expected to strengthen brand visibility among motorcycle enthusiasts in eastern India. Initiatives such as INDH could also inspire greater participation in competitive motorsport, a segment witnessing growing interest among young riders in Kolkata and neighbouring markets.