RACE SUMMARY

Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters – Hero MotoCorp, has successfully completed its campaign at the Ultimate BP Rally Raid Portugal, the fourth round of the 2025 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).

After five demanding Stages spread across Portugal and Spain, team riders Nacho Cornejo and Tobias Ebster crossed the finish line in the 11th and 42nd overall positions, respectively. Competing in the Rally2 category, Tobias also claimed the 25th place in his class. FIM World Rally-Raid Champion of 2024 - Ross Branch - made a strong start in this rally, but was forced to retire after an unfortunate crash in Stage 2.

In the last and final Stage on Sunday, Ebster clocked the 9th fastest time of the day - just under two minutes behind the Stage winner - also claiming the 4th place in the Rally2 category. Cornejo rode well to wrap up the last Stage with a 19th place finish. The final decisive Stage was a 287 km loop through the Portugese forests around its capital city – Lisbon.

Nacho Cornejo faced some trouble adjusting with the Portugese terrain in the early Stages of the rally; however, his determined ride until the last kilometer extends his reputation as a highly reliable and dependable rider in the team. The Chilean’s trademark consistency continues to pay off - with 44 points, he maintains his standing at 7th place in the 2025 World Championship standings.

Across the week, Ebster registered Top-10 finishes in three Stages, proving his raw speed and resolve. Unfortunately, a mechanical issue in Stage 2, and a penalty in Stage 3 cost him crucial time - pushing him down the rankings table. Entering Portugal as the Rally2 Championship leader, the Austrian now sits 3rd in the standings with 67 points. He remains confident of closing the season on a high, and is in contention for the title.

The rally culminated on Sunday on the grand podium at the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) - a fitting tribute to Portugal’s legendary navigators. For Lisbon, once the starting point of the Dakar Rally between 2006 and 2008, hosting the W2RC finish marked a historic homecoming, celebrated by massive crowds.

Though only in its second edition, Rally Raid Portugal has already cemented its place as one of the most versatile and technically demanding events on the W2RC calendar. The championship’s only European round - and its first and only cross-border race - delivered nearly 2,400 km of competition, including more than 1,400 km against the clock, a 40% increase from its debut year. From sandy trails and rocky ascents to fast dirt tracks and twisting technical sections, the route offered a complete showcase of rally-raid challenges across the diverse Mediterranean landscapes of Portugal and Spain.