Hero MotoSports Team Rally has announced the signing of Michael Docherty, further strengthening its international rider line-up ahead of the 2026 season of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.
The South African rally-raid specialist will make his debut with the team at the upcoming Desafío Ruta 40, marking the third round of the 2026 W2RC calendar.
Docherty joins the Indian factory outfit following a strong 2025 season, bringing with him an impressive record in the Rally2 category. With 37 stage wins to his name—the highest in the category—he has consistently demonstrated front-running pace and has even secured stage victories in the overall classification against RallyGP contenders.
Born in Johannesburg, Docherty began his racing journey in motocross, competing across South Africa, the United States and the UAE. A three-time representative at the Motocross of Nations, he transitioned to rally-raid in 2021 and made an immediate impact by winning the Rally2 category at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on debut.
Since the inception of the W2RC in 2022, Docherty has steadily built his reputation, with notable stints at teams like BAS World KTM and SRG Motorsports. His 2025 campaign saw him secure third place in the Rally2 World Cup, underlining his readiness to step up to factory-level competition.
The signing aligns with Hero MotoSports’ long-term strategy to build a competitive global squad, with a clear focus on the Dakar Rally 2027. Team Manager Wolfgang Fischer highlighted Docherty’s speed, work ethic and potential to evolve into a top RallyGP contender aboard the team’s Hero 450 Rally machine.
For Docherty, the move marks a significant career milestone as he steps into a factory rider role for the first time. He expressed confidence in the team’s capabilities and shared ambitions, aiming to contribute to its continued success on the world stage.
Hero MotoSports has been on an upward trajectory, notably clinching a historic world championship title in 2024 with Ross Branch. The team has also expanded its footprint in the Rally2 category, working with emerging talents such as Tobias Ebster, who delivered a stage win at the 2025 South African Safari Rally and finished runner-up in the Rally2 World Cup.
With the addition of Docherty, Hero MotoSports Team Rally aims to further elevate its performance, blending experience and emerging talent as it targets greater success in global rally-raid competition.
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