Hero Motorsports Shines Bright at 2025 Rally Raid Portugal, Aiming for New Heights in World Rally-Raid Championship

The 2025 season of the Rally Raid Portugal has made some conclusions for the Hero Motorsport Rally Team. The Indian-origin Hero MotoCorp has kicked off its campaign at the fourth round of the 2025 FIM World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC). With three accomplished riders: Ross Branch and Nacho Cornejo competing in the premier Rally GP category, and Tobias Ebster competing in the Rally 2 category.

The 2025 iteration of the Rally Raid Portugal not only puts the spotlight on motorcycle racing but also marks a major milestone for motorsport. The rally began on Tuesday with a short 5 km prologue, where Branch crossed the finish line with the 8th fastest lap time. The only European round in the championship calendar, the rally traverses nearly 2,400 kilometers across Portugal and Spain, testing competitors over dramatically varied terrains and unique cross-border stages.

Hero Motorsports: Ready for the Challenge

The campaign in Portugal is a pivotal opportunity for the Hero Motosports Rally Team to reaffirm its position among the best two-wheeler global motorsports rally teams. Reigning World Champion Ross Branch and the ever-consistent Nacho Cornejo in the Rally GP category, along with their newest talent, Tobias Ebster, are contesting the fierce Rally2 class.

After a short but intense 5 km prologue, Branch finished 8th overall, with Tobias and Nacho completing the stage in 13th and 24th positions, respectively. Tobias, meanwhile, topped the Rally2 Championship leader board and is looking forward to finishing the season on a high note.

The Most Demanding Edition Yet

The Rally-Raid Portugal is in its second season and has already gained a reputation as one of the most versatile and technically demanding rally events in the W2RC season calendar. The 2025 race spans five special stages and totals over 2,400 km, with more than 1,400 km timed, representing a significant 40% increase in timed distance over the previous edition.

Based out of Grandola, 120 km from Lisbon, the rally will challenge the riders across a variety of terrains, including sand, stone, clay, mountains, fast dirt tracks, and technical winding sections. All set under the splendid Mediterranean Sea.

Weather Favors Competitive Spirit in Motorsport

Held under sunny, clear skies, unlike last year’s rain-drenched edition, the 2025 Prologue offered ideal racing conditions with strong spectator support. For the 2025 season, a total of 11 vehicles, including 50 FIM competitors with 10 Rally GP and 28 Rally2 riders, were cleared to start. For the opening stage, a 425-km loop southwest to Beja is set to challenge riders with fast tracks and late-stage sand complexities, promising a week rich in drama and performance.

Ross Branch expressed optimism after a comfortable run in the prologue, welcoming the strong turnout of fans in Portugal. He credited the supportive environment and reaffirmed the team’s resolve to turn the season around. Nacho Cornejo, admitting to some early mistakes, remained confident in his bike and vowed to battle through the main stages regardless of start position or dust issues. The following table shows the ranking of the Rally GP and Rally2 GP riders.

Prologue Ranking Table (Overall)

Prologue Rally2 Class Ranking Table

With the competitive prologue results in hand and the full rally stages ahead, Hero MotoSports Team Rally is poised for an intense battle across Portugal and Spain. The combination of experienced riders, strategic preparation, and challenging terrain promises an exhilarating climax to the 2025 W2RC.

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