Hero MotoSports Conclude Best Ever Dakar Campaign With 2 Stage Wins

Hero MotoSports concluded its most successful campaign at Dakar yet by seeing all of its riders finish in the top-15 at the finale stage of the Dakar 2023. Dakar 2023 saw Hero MotoCorp's motorsports team bag two stage wins, and multiple top 10 finishes. Hero MotoSports also bagged an overall top-10 finish at the the rally, with Franco Caimi bagging consistent results throughout the rally to finish the race in 10th position.
Franco Caimi was the star performer for Hero MotoSports for most of the time through the rally. Caimi bagged multiple top-10 stage finishes, which eventually helped him secure a top-10 finish in the overall standings. A crash in the last few days meant that the Argentine also had to ride through the closing stages of the rally in pain, but he pulled through regardless, showing the true spirit of Dakar. He wrapped the final stage in P13 in the Rally GP Class, making his first Dakar rally with Hero MotoSports a successful one
Franco Caimi finished the rally in 10th position overall.
Ross Branch also entered the Dakar rally with Hero MotoSports for the first time, and he had an extraordinary outing. Branch had multiple outstanding stages which would've guaranteed a top spot in the overall standings, but a fuel pump issue in stage 4 saw him lose multiple hours until he could get going again, which ended any hopes for a top result. Branch still walked away with two stage wins in the rally, and finished a commendable 16th in the overall standings.
Ross Branch bagged 2 stage wins in the rally, finishing 16th overall.
In his third Dakar appearance with Hero MotoSports, Sebastian Bühler managed to bag his first podium finish in a stage, finishing second in stage 2. Bühler also lost a few hours in stage 4 just like Branch, owing to the same issue, which also prohibited him from a top 10 overall finish. In the end, Bühler managed to finish 14th overall in the Rally GP class, thanks to multiple top-10 finishes and consistent pace.
Sebastian Bühler bagged his first stage podium at Dakar this year, finishing the rally in 14th place overall.
Joaquim Rodrigues, one of Hero MotoSports' first riders, finished two of the first three stages in top-10. The rider was showing great pace, until disaster stuck in stage 4 where he had a crash resulting in a broken femur. JRod has since undergone surgery, and is recovering in a hospital.
Latest News
car&bike Team | Jun 23, 2026Hero MotoSports Completes 10 Years; Signs 18-Year-Old For Dakar ProgrammeHero MotoCorp marked 10 years of its global rally-raid programme and announced a Dakar talent programme, signing on 18-year-old supercross sensation Shlok Ghorpade.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jun 23, 2026Citroen Aircross Comfort Edition Launched; Prices Start At Rs. 9.09 LakhThe Citroen Aircross Comfort Edition will be offered in three variants - You, Plus, Plus Turbo 7S - and they are priced between Rs. 9.09 lakh and Rs. 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom).2 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Jun 23, 2026Xiaomi YU7 GT Sets First-Ever Driverless Car Lap Record At NurburgringXiaomi’s performance electric SUV complete a 20.8 km circuit of the Nordschleife in 10:29.483 without a driver behind the wheel.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jun 22, 2026New Renault Duster Exports Commence From IndiaRenault has begun exports of the all-new Duster from India, with the first shipment of 750 vehicles heading to South Africa.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jun 22, 2026Skoda Kodiaq RS Bookings Open In India Ahead Of LaunchThe initial allocation is capped at 50 units for India.2 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Jun 21, 2026Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition Launched At Rs 3.99 LakhNew Special Edition gets revised graphics, a new Mamba Black colour and updates to the ergonomics1 min read
Preetam Bora | Jun 15, 20262026 Yezdi Scrambler Review: The Update That Changes EverythingThe Yezdi Scrambler gets a comprehensive update with an updated engine, revised chassis, reduced weight and proper features list. Does it deliver? Here’s our take.10 mins read
Preetam Bora | Jun 10, 20262026 BMW F 450 GS Review: A True GS - But Should You Buy It?The GS badge on a BMW means something and always has. Can the new made-in-India BMW F 450 GS truly live up to that legacy? We spent a few days getting familiar with the F 450 GS to see if it’s worth a buy.12 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Jun 10, 20262026 Tata Altroz Long-Term Review: Initial Impressions After 45 DaysTata’s premium hatchback brings a lot to the table, but some rough edges are still apparent.4 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Jun 9, 2026Renault Duster 1.0-Litre Turbo Review: Small Engine, More Than Enough PerformanceThe Renault Duster's TCe100 engine is the 1.0-litre turbo petrol that makes 99 bhp and 166 Nm of peak torque. And it only comes with a 6-speed manual.6 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Jun 8, 20262026 Tata Tiago EV Review: Small EV Gets Big ImprovementsThe 2026 Tata Tiago EV promises a sharper design, segment-first features at sub-Rs. 10 lakh price point, and better real-world range. But does it deliver?1 min read



















































































































































