HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY WELCOMES TOBIAS EBSTER TO ITS RIDER LINE-UP EBSTER'S REMARKABLE JOURNEY TO ELEVATE THE TEAM'S AMBITIONS AT WORLD RALLY STAGE
Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters — Hero MotoCorp – has added promising young talent Tobias Ebster to its international rider line-up, following a highly successful 2024 season.
Tobias Ebster, 27, from Zillertal, Austria, is widely recognized as one of rally racing's most promising rising stars. He entered his first rally just four years ago — the Hellas Rally Raid — after establishing a solid background in motocross and enduro. His breakthrough came in 2022, when he won the prestigious FIM Bajas World Cup in Dubai. He continued to impress by securing victory in the Rally 2 category at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, outperforming a field of seasoned competitors.
A trained mechanical engineering technician, Tobias has taken on a range of freelance jobs — including landscaper, taxi driver, plumber, pizza delivery rider, and carpenter — to maintain a flexible schedule that supports his intense training and racing commitments.
In his debut Dakar Rally last year — Tobias delivered a remarkable performance. Displaying exceptional grit and endurance, he claimed victory in the grueling "Original by Motul" category without any assistance and finished an impressive 20th overall, earning the coveted title of Best Rookie. His determination and talent also secured him a Dakar entry through the 'Road to Dakar' program, a dream he pursued and achieved despite significant setbacks. In Dakar 2025, competing once again as a privateer — but this time with assistance — Tobias raised the bar even higher. He finished an astonishing 9th overall, emerging as the top privateer in the field.
Tobias is set to make his debut race appearance with Hero MotoSports later this month at the South African Safari Rally. This event, making its first appearance on the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) calendar, serves as the third round of the 2025 season. Tobias will line up alongside teammates Ross Branch and Nacho Cornejo for the rally.
Wolfgang Fischer, Team Manager, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Tobias Ebster to the Hero MotoSports family! His addition comes at a truly exciting time for us, following our historic World Championship victory led by our star rider Ross Branch. In just over nine years, Hero MotoSports has firmly established itself among the top teams in rally racing, and the arrival of a world-class talent like Tobias – current leader of the Rally2 championship - marks another major milestone in our journey."
"Tobias already shares a strong bond with several of our riders, and we are excited to see that camaraderie come alive once again under the Hero MotoSports banner. His impressive will to work upwork his career to where he stands now, and true spirit of sportsmanship perfectly align with our team's values and ambitions. We are confident Tobias will play a significant role in elevating our performance even further this season and beyond. With new energy, renewed determination, and exciting new talent, we look forward to an incredible season ahead!"
Tobias Ebster, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, said: "I'm thrilled and deeply honoured to be joining Hero MotoSports, a team that has been making headlines for all the right reasons. I've followed the team's incredible rise over the past few years and have always admired how quickly they've become a force to reckon with in rally racing. It's an exciting time to join, and I'm fully committed to giving my best and contributing to the team's continued success."
"I look forward to racing alongside some of the most talented and promising riders in the sport, many of whom I also consider close friends. I sincerely thank Hero MotoSports for placing their trust in me — it's a true privilege to represent the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters at some of the toughest and most iconic races around the world!"
Born into a family deeply rooted in motorsport, Tobias found his passion for two wheels at an early age, receiving his first bike at just four years old. Guided by his uncle Heinz Kinigadner — a two-time Motocross World Champion and rally-raid legend — Tobias developed his skills across motocross and desert racing, laying the foundation for what promises to be an outstanding career in rally-raid. With an already impressive trajectory early in his career, Tobias brings immense talent and resilience to the Hero MotoSports squad.
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