Hero MotoSports Team Rally's Impressive 7th Place Finish at Dakar 2025

Hero MotoSports Team Rally has secured an impressive 7th place overall finish at the 2025 Dakar Rally, reinforcing its position as a formidable force in the world's toughest rally. The team's young Chilean rider, Nacho Cornejo, delivered a stellar performance, maintaining top-10 standings throughout the rally and securing an overall 7th place finish. Nacho showcased remarkable grit and determination, demonstrating his consistency across the stages. Since Stage 1, he remained in the top-10, climbed to 7th place in Stage 8, and held on to that position till the finish, proving his mettle on the unforgiving Dakar terrain.

Hero MotoSports Team Rally entered the Dakar 2025 with a strong three-rider squad – Ross Branch, Sebastian Bühler, and Nacho Cornejo. The team made a remarkable start, with Ross Branch storming into 2nd place in the Prologue, followed by achieving the Stage 1 podium at 3rd place, and achieving back-to-back stage podium finishes. He continued his outstanding form, maintaining 3rd place in overall rankings till Stage 5. However, an unfortunate crash in Stage 6 forced him to exit the rally, cutting short his podium charge. His teammate Sebastian Bühler, who was looking in a good rhythm early on, also met with an unfortunate crash in Stage 1, leading to his early withdrawal from the race.

Despite these challenges, Hero MotoSports showcased its resilience and fighting spirit, proving its capability to compete at the highest level. Nacho's strong finish in 7th place overall highlights the team's growing stature in the Dakar Rally and sets a solid foundation for the season ahead. The Hero 450 Rally delivered a flawless performance at Dakar 2025, completing the grueling rally with zero technical issues – a true testament to Hero’s engineering excellence.

The 2025 edition of the Dakar Rally was undoubtedly one of the toughest Dakars so far, with long stages, extreme terrains, and tricky navigation right from the start. The rally kicked off with intense challenges, featuring the return of the grueling 48-hour Chrono stage that took place right at the start of the rally, and two marathon stages. A total of 335 vehicles and 580 competitors from 52 nationalities embarked on the 7,700 km rally across the Arabian desert. For the first time, FIM and FIA vehicles navigated separate routes for nearly 45% of the distance.

Hero MotoSports Team Rally's impressive 7th place finish at Dakar 2025 not only demonstrates the team's resilience and fighting spirit but also showcases the capabilities of the Hero 450 Rally motorcycle. The team's strong performance in the face of adversity sets a solid foundation for the season ahead and further solidifies Hero MotoSports' position as a formidable force in the world of rally racing.