The bike sport division at Indian manufacturing giant Hero MotoCorp has launched a new rider development programme aimed at nurturing budding domestic rally talent - the aim no doubt being to seed the first-ever Indian-born overall Dakar winner.

Announced as the factory team celebrated its 10th anniversary, the new India's Next Dakar Hero (INDH) initiative will identify and develop young home-grown racers through a pathway from national competition to international events.

Selected riders will undergo a two-to-three-year programme covering navigation, riding technique, endurance and physical preparation before progressing towards the Dakar Rally and the wider FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.

As part of the announcement, the industry giant – second only to Honda globally in terms of sheer output - also confirmed 18-year-old national motocross and supercross rider Shlok Ghorpade has joined the Hero MotoSports Team Rally squad, which will see the young racer begin his rally education with a programme in Morocco.

The team has already tasted international victory – albeit at the hands of Botswanan national Ross Branch - claiming the Rally world title in 2024.

Branch’s 2025 proved less fruitful after DNFing from the season opener Dakar Rally following a crash. At the time of writing, the ‘Kalahari Ferrari’ (who also happens to be the first-ever African to win the World Champs) occupies eighth place in the 2026 overall standings, followed by fellow Hero rider Ignacio Cornejo ahead of the penultimate event of the year, Rallye Du Maroc, in September-October.

Hero also confirmed the first steps towards its development pathway have already begun, with Indian national champion Arun Thayappa making his international rally debut at Spain's Cierzo Rally aboard the Hero 450 Rally prototype last year.

No Indian rider has yet won either the world championship nor breached the overall top 10 at Dakar.

The closest anyone has come is Harith Noah, who made history in 2024 by becoming the first Indian rider to win a motorcycle class in Saudi Arabia, taking Rally2 victory with Sherco TVS while finishing 11th overall – still the best overall result by an Indian rider. Injuries in the last two editions have prevented Noah from building on that breakthrough.

Hero MotoCorp Executive Chairman Dr Pawan Munjal said: “Over the past decade, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has evolved from a bold ambition into a globally respected rally racing team, proudly representing India on the world stage.  

“The India’s Next Dakar Hero program reflects our deep belief that India possesses immense untapped motosports talent waiting to be discovered and nurtured. By welcoming Shlok Ghorpade to the team, we aim to build a sustainable pathway for homegrown Indian riders to compete and excel at the highest levels of the sport. Together, these initiatives represent the next chapter in our journey to create a lasting rally-raid legacy for India.”

Alongside the new talent programme, Hero renewed its agreement with Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), promoter of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, for a further five years.

Photo credit: Hero Motorsport