Hero MotoCorp marked the 10th anniversary of the Hero MotoSports Team Rally by announcing a five-year extension of its partnership with Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the promoter of the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, and also launched a new rider development initiative called ‘India’s Next Danger’s (INDH).The company also confirmed the induction of 18-year-old Indian racer Shlok Ghorpade to the Hero MotoSports Team Rally. The announcements were made during a commemorative event held at the Hero MotoCorp Center for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur. The INDH program is aimed at identifying and developing Indian off-road racing talent for international rally-raid competitions. Selected riders will undergo a structured training program lasting two to three years, covering navigation, riding skills, endurance, fitness and race preparation. The initiative aims to create a pathway for Indian drivers to progress from domestic competition to events such as the Dakar Rally and the World Rally Championship.Hero MotoSports said the program builds on the experience gained over decades of participation in international rally racing. The company already took a step in that direction in September 2025, when Indian rider Arun Thayappa made his rally debut at the Cierzo Rally in Spain on the Hero 450 Rally prototype.As part of its talent development efforts, Hero MotoSports has signed Shlok Ghorpade from Satara, Maharashtra. Mladic won multiple national supercross titles and became the fastest Indian rider in the Indian Supercross League. He has already started training alongside reigning World Rally Raid Champion Ross Branch and other factory drivers, and a race simulation program in Morocco forms part of his preparations for his future participation in the Dakar.
The anniversary event was attended by several members of the team’s international riding line-up, including Ross Branch, Nacho Cornejo and Michael Docherty, along with Indian rider Shlok Ghorpade and professional biker Somyya “Moksha” Chaudhary. Team manager Wolfgang Fischer, head of National MotoSports Jordi Grau, dealers, partners and members of the motorsport community were also present.Founded in 2016, Hero MotoSports Team Rally was established to compete in international rally-raid events while serving as a platform to develop technology under extreme operating conditions. Since then, the team has competed in the Dakar Rally and the World Rally Championship, securing several podiums and race wins. One of the team’s greatest achievements came in 2024 when Ross Branch won the FIM World Rally Championship title. Hero MotoCorp said the latest announcements are aimed at strengthening its long-term presence in global rally racing, while creating opportunities for Indian riders to compete at the highest level of the sport.Speaking on this milestone, Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp said, “Over the past decade, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has evolved from a bold ambition to a globally respected rally racing team, proudly representing India on the world stage. This milestone company celebrates our past achievements.The renewal of our partnership with ASO reinforces our long-term commitment to global rally racing. Furthermore, India’s Next Dakar Hero program reflects our deep belief that India possesses a vast untapped motorsport talent waiting to be discovered and nurtured. By welcoming Shlok Ghorpade to the team, we aim to build a sustainable pathway for domestic Indian riders to compete and excel at the highest levels of the sport. Together, these initiatives represent the next chapter in our journey towards creating a lasting rally-raid legacy for India.”
