Hero scores top 10 finish at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Indian team Hero MotoSports has added some more points to its tally after rider Jose ‘Nacho’ Cornejo finished sixth overall in the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. This follows his points finish at the 2025 Dakar Rally, where he was seventh.

His teammate and reigning World Rally-Raid Champion Ross Branch was forced to withdraw in Stage 2 due to clutch issues.

1. Cornejo also moves up to P6 in the championship
2. Sanders, Al-Attiyah win the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge: Branch out

Still recovering from injuries sustained in his Dakar Rally crash, Branch admitted that he didn’t feel “100 percent there yet”. Nevertheless, he was running well in the top five. Unfortunately, he faced clutch issues right after his refuelling stop in Stage 2 and was unable to fix the problem himself.

“I encountered a small technical issue while in the dunes, and I tried my best to fix it and get going, but it just wasn’t our day,” Branch said.

“Anyway, we’re back in one piece and healthy. I came to Abu Dhabi wanting to get mentally stronger than I’ve been in the last couple of weeks, and I achieved that. I’m leaving here with my head held high and will now focus on getting ready for the next race in South Africa.”

Hero scores points

Cornejo P6 in World Rally-Raid Championship

Just like the 2025 Dakar Rally, Cornejo was once again left as Hero’s sole rider in the running. A consistent performance saw him finish well within the top 10 in all the stages, and he even scored two stage podium finishes.

The Chilean remained in podium contention right till the end. But after a brief scare early on in the last stage, he settled for a safe arrival and finished sixth overall – just 6 minutes away from the podium. With 24 points scored after the first two rounds, he also moved up to sixth place in the World Rally-Raid Championship.

“I’m glad to have made it to the finish line of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025. We kept pushing and were fighting for the podium until the last stage. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it, but I’m happy that we could give it our all,” said Cornejo.

The next challenge for Hero MotoSports will be the South African Safari Rally in May 2025. With this being a home event for Branch, the team will be hoping to capitalise on his expertise in the region. He’ll be joined by Cornejo as well as Sebastian Buhler, who will make his rally return after suffering a shoulder injury at Dakar.

2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge winners

Sanders, Al-Attiyah win Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

KTM’s Daniel Sanders followed up his Dakar victory with yet another triumph at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge to further cement his championship lead. In the cars category, Dacia’s Nasser Al-Attiyah won the rally to snatch the championship lead from Overdrive Racing’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi.

Also see:

Dakar 2025: Sanjay Takale first Indian driver to finish Dakar Rally

MRF joins British Rally Championship