Hero MotoSports marks 10 years with ASO renewal and India’s Next Dakar Hero launch

Hero MotoSports Team Rally has completed 10 years and is using the milestone to set an ambitious course for its next chapter. At its Jaipur celebration on June 22, 2026, Hero MotoCorp announced a five-year extension of its partnership with Amaury Sport Organization and unveiled “India’s Next Dakar Hero,” a new rider-development program aimed at building India’s next rally-raid stars.

The event brought together leading names from the team, including world champion Ross Branch, Nacho Cornejo, Michael Docherty, and rising Indian racer Shlok Ghorpade, alongside Hero MotoSports management and motorsports partners. Held at Hero MotoCorp’s Centre for Innovation and Technology, the showcase combined a decade-long retrospective with a clear message: the company wants to deepen its global rally commitment while creating a stronger path for Indian talent.

A Decade of Rally Racing

Founded in 2016, Hero MotoSports Team Rally was created to test Hero MotoCorp’s technology in some of the world’s toughest conditions and raise India’s profile in international rally-raid competition. Over the years, the team has built a reputation as one of the sport’s leading outfits, competing in major events such as the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.

The anniversary event highlighted that journey with a showcase of Dakar machines, rider demonstrations, and an off-road performance that underscored the physical and technical demands of rally racing. Hero MotoCorp said the milestone is not just a celebration of past results but a foundation for bigger ambitions in the years ahead.

ASO Partnership Renewed

One of the biggest announcements from the event was the five-year extension of Hero MotoCorp’s partnership with Amaury Sport Organization, the organizer of the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship. The renewed agreement signals continuity at the highest level of rally-raid competition and reflects the company’s long-term belief in the sport’s growth potential.

For Hero MotoSports, the extension also strengthens its position within the global rally ecosystem. It gives the team a stable platform to continue competing against the world’s best while supporting the broader development of rally-raid racing internationally.

New Path for Indian Talent

Hero MotoCorp also introduced “India’s Next Dakar Hero” (INDH), a first-of-its-kind program designed to identify and develop young Indian rally-raid prospects. The initiative will focus on building riders through a structured two-to-three-year pathway that covers riding technique, navigation, endurance, and physical conditioning.

The company says INDH is meant to create a sustainable talent pipeline from national competition to the international stage. As part of that vision, 18-year-old Shlok Ghorpade from Satara, Maharashtra, has joined Hero MotoSports Team Rally, adding fresh energy to the squad and reinforcing its rider-development strategy.

The Road Ahead

Hero MotoCorp Executive Chairman Dr. Pawan Munjal described the team’s 10-year journey as a shift from bold ambition to global recognition, while stressing the importance of nurturing Indian talent for the future. The company said the next phase will combine competition, training, and long-term development to create a lasting rally-raid legacy for India.

With a renewed global partnership, a new talent program and a young Indian rider joining the team, Hero MotoSports is clearly treating its 10th anniversary as a launchpad rather than a finish line. The message from Jaipur was simple: the team’s most important race may still be ahead.

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CarBike 360 Says

Hero MotoSports’ 10-year milestone reflects its growing dominance in global rally racing and long-term vision for motorsport excellence. With the ASO partnership renewed and the India’s Next Dakar Hero program launched, the brand is not only strengthening its competitive edge but also investing in future Indian talent, ensuring a strong pipeline for Dakar success.