Hero MotoSports Charges Ahead at South African Safari Rally 2025

All Three Riders Secure Top-10 Finishes

Sun City, South Africa — May 21, 2025:
Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport division of Hero MotoCorp, continues to make waves at the South African Safari Rally 2025, the third round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). All three riders have finished Stage 4 inside the top 10, with Tobias Ebster, Ross Branch, and Nacho Cornejo showcasing resilience, pace, and team strength on Africa’s toughest terrain.

Tobias Ebster Shines in Rally2 Class

In his debut outing for Hero MotoSports, Tobias Ebster delivered another impressive performance, finishing 7th overall for the day and grabbing 2nd place in the Rally2 category. The young Austrian is now 2nd in the overall Rally2 standings and 9th overall across all classes.

Consistent Runs from Branch and Cornejo

Ross Branch, the reigning world champion and local favourite, powered through familiar terrain along the Botswana border to finish 9th for the day. Nacho Cornejo, currently 7th in the overall standings, battled through a tough day to take 10th in Stage 4, aiming to close the rally on a high in the final stage.

Stage 4: The Ultimate Test

Spanning 693 km, Stage 4 was the longest and most demanding of the rally. From fast dirt tracks to rocky mountains around Skilpadshek and views of Gaborone, the route tested both machine and rider. Spectators lined the course near Botswana, cheering riders through one of the most scenic and grueling stages.

What’s Next

The rally concludes tomorrow with the final stage in Sun City — a 216 km sprint packed with river crossings, slick cotton soil, and loose gravel. With tight time gaps and everything on the line, the Hero MotoSports squad is gearing up for a strong finish.

Rider Quotes

Tobias Ebster
“It was a long day — nearly 700 km in total. The special stage was fast but technical. Despite a small crash and a few mistakes, I had fun and stayed competitive. One last push to finish strong!”

Ross Branch
“Today was tough but enjoyable, especially being so close to home. The dust and terrain made it challenging, but the bike was flawless. Looking forward to wrapping it up tomorrow.”

Nacho Cornejo
“Not my best day — couldn’t find my rhythm. I want to thank the team for their hard work and hope to return stronger in the final stage.”

Provisional Results — Stage 4 (Overall)

  1. Daniel Sanders (Redbull KTM) – 02h 24m 56s

  2. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) – +01m 32s

  3. Skyler Howes (Honda) – +01m 39s

  4. Tobias Ebster (Hero MotoSports) – +03m 58s

  5. Ross Branch (Hero MotoSports) – +05m 59s

  6. Nacho Cornejo (Hero MotoSports) – +08m 11s

Overall Standings After Stage 4

  1. Nacho Cornejo – +40m 23s

  2. Tobias Ebster – +57m 54s

  3. Ross Branch – +01h 56m 31s

Rally2 Class – Stage 4 Results

  1. Edgar Canet (Redbull KTM) – 02h 26m 56s

  2. Tobias Ebster (Hero MotoSports) – +01m 58s

  3. Michael Docherty (BAS KTM) – +06m 20s

Rally2 Class – Overall Standings

  1. Edgar Canet – 12h 44m 08s

  2. Tobias Ebster – +20m 14s

  3. Michael Docherty – +27m 28s

Stay tuned as Hero MotoSports races into the final stage with power, purpose, and podium potential.

Also Read: Bajaj Auto to Lead KTM Revival with Takeover and €800M Boost

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