Hero MotoSports Team Rally Makes Competitive Start at Rallye De Maroc 2025

Hero MotoSports Team Rally has commenced its campaign at the Rallye De Maroc, the fifth and final round of the 2025 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship. The team fielded three factory riders for the event held in Fez, Morocco on October 12, 2025.

In the opening prologue stage spanning 19 kilometers, Ross Branch secured the 7th fastest time in the Rally GP category, while teammate Nacho Cornejo finished in 21st position. Tobias Ebster, the team's newest recruit, recorded the 10th overall position and the 3rd fastest time in the Rally2 class, demonstrating a strong early performance.

The 26th edition of the Rallye Du Maroc is recognized as the premiere event for rally-raid racing, often referred to as the "mini Dakar." The competition spans five special stages covering a total distance of 2,274 kilometers, with 1,448 kilometers consisting of timed sections. This year marks the third consecutive time the championship finale is hosted in Morocco.

A total of 229 vehicles were cleared to compete in the event, including 116 FIM entries comprising 11 Rally GP riders and 97 Rally2 competitors. The rally features diverse Moroccan terrain, including rocky sections, sand dunes, desert conditions, and challenging weather patterns.

Stage 1, scheduled for October 13, represents the rally's longest segment, with participants traveling from Fez to Erfoud over a total distance of 779 kilometers, of which 298 kilometers will be timed against the clock. This demanding stage is expected to provide early indicators of competitive positioning throughout the week.

Wolfgang Fischer, Team Manager for Hero MotoSports Team Rally, expressed the team's focus following the prologue. "The season hasn't exactly gone the way we planned, but we're here now, fully prepared and focused on a strong result—and with our eyes firmly set on the big one, Dakar 2026 in January," Fischer stated.

Branch emphasized his readiness for the competition, noting that the motorcycle performed exceptionally during the prologue stage.

Ebster highlighted his adaptation to the team environment and positive bike setup adjustments, while Cornejo expressed confidence in the equipment despite the modest prologue result, signaling determination for the demanding stages ahead.