Latest news with #Rally2
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Reigning champions Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes claim victory at Cavan Rally
Reigning national champions Josh Moffett and his Wexford co-driver Andy Hayes took a start to finish victory in the Cavan Rally, the third round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Another of the Moffett siblings, Sam (Hyundai i20 N Rally2), who was co-driven by Killarney's Shane Buckley, finished 18.2s behind after they edged out the Donegal duo of Kevin Eves/Chris Melly (Ford Fiesta Rally2) by 3.7s on the final stage. Changeable weather conditions made it difficult as Josh Moffett coped best and with a trio of fastest times on the first loop, he led Sam by 15.7s with Eves, with one of his best performances since switching to Rally2, just two seconds further behind in third. Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty had a huge moment over a jump on the opening stage (where Sam Moffett also had a similar moment), a spin on the second stage and a time loss on SS3, saw him down in fifth - 24.3s off top spot. Michael Boyle was the first major retirement when his Skoda Fabia Rally2 slid off and crashed into a tree during the opening stage. The stage interruption rule was implemented on SS4 when the services were called to the assistance of Kesh driver Garry Jennings and his co-driver Brian Hoy when their Ford Fiesta Rally2 crashed heavily. Meanwhile, the top three of Josh and Sam Moffett and Eves each took a stage win as Josh led the family battle by 19.1s. Rain showers continued to make tyre choice a lottery and while Josh Moffett maintained a good lead, his brother Sam lost second place to a charging Eves, who entered the final stage just 1.4s ahead of his rival, who was determined to regain second and win the Power Stage to reduce his brother's haul of championship points, he managed to achieve both. Barrable and Doherty (who retains the lead of the series - three points ahead of Sam Moffett) completed the top five. In the Maiden City rally in Derry, Strabane's Ryan Caldwell (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) took a 5.9s victory over the Ford Fiesta Rally2 of Kesh driver Garry Jennings with Donegal's David Kelly (VW Polo GTi), who led for two stages, finishing 9.2s further behind in third. In wet conditions, Caldwell led Jennings by 1.2s on the first stage where Kelly was 2.3s off top spot in third. With a stage win on SS2 and despite issues with the wipers on SS3, Kelly led Jennings by 3.9s as Caldwell slipped to third - 5.7s off the lead. However, Caldwell was back in the lead after SS4, the second running of Bigwood, where he excelled once more, taking 5.1s out of Jennings to lead by 3.3s as the latter made some set-up changes. Kelly (third) had an overshoot. The top three order remained unchanged to the finish as Caldwell netted his first victory on tarmac surface. Donegal's Michael Boyle, debuting the Skoda Fabia RS Rally previously campaigned by his father Declan, was fourth with top seed Desi Henry, who switched to a Ford Fiesta Rally2, took a stage win on his way to fifth. Sadly, the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland was curtailed following a tragic accident on Saturday's second stage (SS8) that claimed the life of Welsh co-driver Dai Roberts. The organisers cancelled the remaining stages of the event (Round three of the British Rally Championship) and also the Reivers Rally that was scheduled to take place yesterday (Sunday). The 39 year old co-driver, whose brother Gareth (Jaffa) passed away in an accident at the 2012 Targa Florio Rally in Sicily, was co-driving for fellow Welshman James Williams (Hyundai i20 rally2) when they crashed on the first run of the Edrom stage. Williams was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious but not life-threatening injuries. In motor racing, Offaly's Alex Dunne crashed out of the F2 feature race in Monaco on Sunday morning. Starting in pole position Victor Martins raced into the lead as they headed into Turn 1. As Martins turned the first corner, the front of Dunne's car speared into the side of his Martins' car that resulted in both spinning into the outside barrier. Some nine other drivers were caught in the ensuing pile up and the race was red flagged. Seven drivers including Dunne and Martins were forced to retire. When the race re-started, Jak Crawford took the chequered flag. The event stewards gave Dunne a grid penalty of ten places on qualifying at next week's Spanish Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Cork driver Robert Cronin secured his maiden victory in the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta Championship at Oulton Park on Saturday afternoon. The Ballylickey driver, who started from P2 in his Elite Motorsport run Ginetta was quickly into the lead, edging out polesitter Jack Collins just before the first corner and went on to take the chequered flag as Cronin's team mate Harry Gamble took second place with a brave move on the final lap. Hotel Kilmore Cavan Rally (Round 3 Triton Showers National Rally Championship) Cavan: 1. J. Moffett/A. Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5) 59m.17.0s; 2. S. Moffett/S. Buckley (Hyundai i20 Rally2)+18.2s; 3. K. Eves/C. Melly (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+21.9s; 4. R. Barrable/P. Robinson (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+31.6s; 5. E. Doherty/T. Murphy (Skoda Fabia R5)+51.2s; 6. D. Henry/N. Burns (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 23.9s; 7. R. Loughran/D. McGettigan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 26.5s; 8. P. Barrett/D. Kelly (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 27.6s; 9. M. Boyle/G. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 43.2s; 10. T. Doyle/L. Moynihan (Hyundaii20 Rally2)+1m. 54.9s. Maiden City Rally (Round 3, Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship) Derry: 1. R. Caldwell/S. O'Brien (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) 32m. 26.8s; 2. G. Jennings/D. McGettigan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+5.9s; 3. D. Kelly/A. Kierans (VW Polo GTi R5)+15.1s; 4. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+16.5s; 5. D. Henry/D. O'Sullivan (Citroen C3 Rally2)+22.0s; 6. N. Devine/L. McIntyre (VW Polo GTi R5)+33.4s; 7. M. Boyle/G. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+35.8s; 8. A. Wray/C. McKenna (VW Polo GTi R5)+42.0s; 9. R. Loughran/D. McGettigan (Ford Fiesta R5)+59.4s; 10. J. McGonigle/G. O'Brien (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 19.2s. Jim Clark Rally (Round 3, Probite British Rally Championship) Duns: (Event was stopped after SS8 due to a fatality. 1. M. Evans/D. Furniss (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 46m. 09.7s; 2. E. Thorburn/P. Beaton (VW Polo GTi R5)+4.0s; 3. C. Black/J. Morton (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+51.6s; 4. M. McRae/C. Fair (Citroën C3 Rally2)+1m. 02.3s; 5. G. Pearson/H. McKillop (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 26.6s; 6. S. Touzel/M. Freeman (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 34.6s; 7. E. Payne/P. Walsh (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 52.7s; 8. M. Hirst/D. Dear (Skoda Fabia R5)+1m. 55.3s; 9. D. Robertson/D. Beaton (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+2m. 06.0s; 10. J. Greer/N. Burns (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+2m. 38.3s.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Hero Motosports Team Rally Completes South African Safari Rally 2025 With Strong Results
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 South African Safari Rally 2025 – the third round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2025. After five grueling stages across the Savannah, Nacho Cornejo and Tobias Ebster secured impressive top-10 finishes overall — Nacho placing 6th and Tobias 9th while Botswana's own Ross Branch finished 11th overall in the rally. In the Rally 2 category, Tobias made a strong debut with Hero MotoSports, clinching 2nd place overall. With this performance, Tobias continues to lead the Rally 2 Championship standings. Today's Stage 5 witnessed Ross Branch bounce back with a spirited ride, finishing 3rd — just around two minutes off the stage winner — while Nacho continued his run of consistency, securing 7th place. Tobias also maintained his momentum, finishing 9th in the stage. Meanwhile, Ebster won today's stage in Rally 2, securing the team's first-ever stage win in this category. The young Austrian talent is making a strong case for the title with two races remaining this season. His consistent pace and four podium finishes in Rally 2 at this rally reflect his growing confidence and synergy with the team. Nacho once again proved to be dependable for the team, finishing top-10 in all stages in this rally. After finishing 7th at Dakar and 6th at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge earlier this season, his current form promises exciting results in the remaining rounds. The ongoing season has been quite a challenging one for Ross Branch. After an unfortunate crash at Dakar and a premature exit at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, he entered the Safari Rally with renewed energy. His Stage 1 win and Stage 3 podium reaffirm his speed and determination. Despite the setback in Stage 2, Ross remains optimistic and is eager to capitalize on the remaining two rounds of the championship — racing as the reigning World Champion. With 34 points after the 3rd round, Nacho has moved to the 7th position in the World Championship. Ross, on the other hand, has opened his tally with 8 points in the table. The South African Safari Rally wrapped up today with the fifth and final stage in Sun City, spanning 216 kilometers — including 118 kilometers of timed special. Though short, the stage was anything but easy, demanding razor-sharp focus through a mix of slick hard-packed cotton soil, river crossings, and loose gravel. The terrain breakdown featured 44% 'black turf' typical of local XXL farms, 27% savannah with dense vegetation, 7% rocks, and 16% red earth tracks. A final 33-kilometer liaison brought competitors back to the bivouac, where they were welcomed with celebration. Making its debut on the W2RC calendar, the South African Safari Rally has quickly earned a reputation as a future classic. The groundbreaking event tested the endurance, adaptability, and technical skill of the world's best rally racers. From fast-flowing savannah trails to rocky outcrops and deceptive black earth, the rally showcased South Africa's raw and rugged beauty while challenging competitors with diverse terrain and shifting weather. As a new addition to the championship, the Safari Rally stands out not only for its stunning landscapes but also for the sheer variety and intensity it brought to the W2RC season. Up next, Hero MotoSports Team Rally is all set to take on the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, scheduled to take place from September 22–28, 2025. As the fourth round in the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) calendar, this event presents a fresh opportunity for the team. Buoyed by the momentum and confidence gained from the South African Safari Rally, the team is more focused than ever to conquer the terrain and leave a lasting mark on the championship. With the final two rounds remaining in this season, Hero MotoSports now looks ahead with renewed motivation and strong momentum across both Rally GP and Rally 2 categories. Wolfgang Fischer, Team Manager, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: 'Overall, it was a very good race — congratulations to the organizers for delivering a fantastic event. The new terrain brought a fresh challenge and was very well received by the Southern Africa motorsports community. We came in aiming for victory with Ross, and he showed strong form by leading after Stage 1. Unfortunately, a large bird strike in Stage 2 damaged his oil cooler, ending his podium hopes — that's rally, some things are just out of your hands. Still, Ross showed great resilience, finishing the marathon stage and securing two more stage podiums. Most importantly, he proved he's back and competitive after his Dakar injury.' 'Nacho had some ups and downs — this terrain doesn't naturally suit his style, but he stayed consistent and we can always depend on him for a solid result. Tobias has an impressive debut with us, adapting quickly, finishing second in Rally2 overall, and closing with a stage win. We couldn't have asked for more. It's a promising outlook for the upcoming races. While we take a short break from racing, the work continues with testing and prep. We're looking forward to joining the championship battle again in Portugal.' Tobias Ebster, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: 'The last stage is done, and it's an emotional moment for me. It was just 111 km today, and I had a great rhythm until around the 92nd kilometre, when my bike suddenly stopped. A wire was stuck in the rear tyre — I had to stop and cut it out with a side cutter. I also had a small crash and an issue at the checkpoint, but in the end, I'm super happy. We got our first Rally2 stage win for Hero MotoSports today. We made steady progress all week, and I'm proud — not just for myself, but for the entire team. Finishing second overall in Rally2 and keeping our lead in the Rally2 World Championship is a great achievement. A huge thanks to the team for their support and to everyone who came to the track or sent messages — you really kept us going. See you in Portugal in September!' Nacho Cornejo, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: "We are done with the Safari Rally — it's been a super cool week of racing here in South Africa. We had our ups and downs, but also a couple of really strong stages. I was able to perform well in conditions that have typically been a weakness for me, so that's a big positive. Yes, I lost some time here and there, but overall, I believe we're moving in the right direction and making clear improvements in these kinds of terrains. I want to thank the entire team — managers, technicians, physios — everyone who works so hard behind the scenes to support us. Also, a big thank you to all the fans and supporters for the encouragement. We'll keep pushing and working hard for the final two rounds of the year!' Ross Branch, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: 'It's the end of the Safari Rally here in South Africa, and what an incredible week of racing it's been! I truly enjoyed every moment — the atmosphere, the people, and the passionate spectators made it all the more special. The bike performed flawlessly as always. Unfortunately, we had a setback due to an incident on Day 2, which impacted our overall standings. But we're back on pace now, the speed is there, and I'm really happy with how everything is coming together. Looking ahead, I'm excited for Morocco and Portugal. A big thank you to everyone for all the support!' Provisional Classification of Stage 5 (Overall): 1 Ricky Brabec Monster Energy Honda Team 01h 23m 17s 2 Daniel Sanders Redbull KTM Factory Racing + 00m 42s 3 Ross Branch Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 02m 06s 7 Nacho Cornejo Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 06m 06s 9 Tobias Ebster Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 07m 16s Provisional Classification after Stage 5 (Overall): 1 Daniel Sanders Redbull KTM Factory Racing 13h 27m 44s 2 Luciano Benavides Redbull KTM Factory Racing + 08m 55s 3 Ricky Brabec Monster Energy Honda Team +10m 00s 6 Nacho Cornejo Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 46m 02s 9 Tobias Ebster Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 01h 04m 40s 11 Ross Branch Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 01h 55m 19s Provisional Classification of Stage 5 (Rally2): 1 Tobias Ebster Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 01h 30m 33s 2 Ruy Barbosa Xraids Experience + 00m 38s 3 Michael Docherty BAS World KTM Team + 00m 57s Provisional Classification after Stage 5 (Rally2): 1 Edgar Canet Redbull KTM Factory Racing + 14h 17m 00s 2 Tobias Ebster Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 15m 24s 3 Michael Docherty BAS World KTM Team + 23m 35s 2025 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship Standings (After Round 3): 1 Daniel Sanders Redbull KTM Factory Racing 88 Points 2 Luciano Benavides Redbull KTM Factory Racing 53 Points 3 Ricky Brabec Monster Energy Honda Team 53 Points 7 Nacho Cornejo Hero MotoSports Team Rally 34 Points 9 Ross Branch Hero MotoSports Team Rally 8 Points
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Harith Noah returns to action at W2RC's South African Safari Rally
Sun City (South Africa): Indian rally-raid sensation Harith Noah is set to make his return to competitive racing in Rally 2 category at the newly introduced South African Safari Rally, scheduled to start from the Sun City Resort from May 18 to 24, 2025. The rally marks Round 3 of the FIA FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2025, and Harith's first competitive return to W2RC after an injury-led exit at the Dakar Rally, earlier this January. Noah, who is part of the Sherco TVS Rally Factory, returns after an early exit from Dakar 2025, where a crash during Prologue left him with a fractured wrist and forced him to withdraw early. Despite the setback, Noah completed the stage before scans confirmed the injury that required immediate surgery. Now, just four months later, he's looking forward to tackling the unforgiving South African landscape and getting back in the mix for his 2025 campaign, with future rounds and a longer-term goal of mounting a strong challenge for Dakar 2026. 'After Dakar, I needed time to recover from the injury, but everything went well and I'm back to full fitness now. This is my first race since the crash, so there are definitely some nerves, which is normal. But the South African Safari Rally is a new challenge for everyone, the route is unfamiliar territory across the board. The key is to stay calm, get used to the bike again, and take it one kilometre at a time.' said Harith Noah. South African Safari Rally brings the W2RC to South Africa for the very first time, promising a groundbreaking addition to the championship and offering one of the most challenging, scenic, and diverse rally routes yet. With extreme terrains and rapidly changing climates, the Safari Rally is poised to become a standout fixture on the W2RC calendar. The 2025 W2RC season features five rounds across three continents, pushing riders through a wide spectrum of terrains and conditions. The year kicked off with the legendary Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, followed by the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Now, the championship heads into uncharted territory with the debut of the South African Safari Rally. The final two rounds will take riders to Portugal for the BP Ultimate Rally Raid in September, before culminating with the iconic Rallye du Maroc in October. Noah's return is significant not just from a personal standpoint, but also for Indian motorsport. With the W2RC expanding its global footprint, Indian representation in such high-level events plays a key role in elevating the country's presence in off-road racing.
Irish Examiner
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Motors: Armstrong aware of tough task in Rally Hungary 'mini Safari'
M-Sport Ford driver Jon Armstrong is very aware of his task in this weekend's Rally Hungary, the second round of the European Rally Championship where he will be co-driven by Donegal's Shane Byrne as the pair bid to open their championship account. Having switched from tarmac to gravel last year and based in the city of Veszprém, it's the first of the three ERC gravel events for Kesh native Armstrong and his fellow ERC contenders. 'Rally Hungary is massively tough. It's like a mini Safari. Ok, you don't have the fesh-fesh but there's a lot of undulation in terms of jumps into crests and dips. You have a lot of bedrock so it's tough on the tyres. It's based out of the military area of Hungary and the roads are quite beaten up. The suspension is tested to the maximum.' Last year he finished eighth but will be looking to improve on that result. 'I will try to build on what we learned last year and continue to work with Shane (Byrne) building on some good pace on Rally Sierra Morena (opening round), the main goal is to get some solid points on the board. We are putting in the effort in the background, hopefully, it will start to pay off.' With 28 others in the Rally2 category, Armstrong has to be on the pace right from the beginning of the 13-stage event. Last year's winner Romania's Simone Tempestini (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) also knows how difficult the event is. 'There are sections that are open and wide where you can see what is ahead. But, at the same time, you really have to take care about bumps and stones and the really high speed. Then you go in other stages that are completely different with a soft surface and many surprises.' He is joined by his MRF Tyres team mate and 2023 FIA WRC3 title winner and reigning Finnish champion Roope Korhonen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and Miklós Csomós (Citroen C3 Rally2) , who finished third last year. The experienced Mads Ostberg also in a Citroen - but on Michelin tyres — should be at the cutting edge as should fellow Citroen ace Max McRae, steps up to the ERC Rally2 category. Northern Ireland's Philip Allen (Skoda Fabia Rally2) is also competing. Following tonight's head-to-head super special stage there are six stages tomorrow and six more on Sunday. Craig Rahill, Keelan Grogan and Aoife Raftery are amongst the Junior ERC category entry in their Peugeot 208 Rally4 cars. "We got a taste for what the car is like on the Moonraker Rally, but altogether, we have very little seat time on gravel this year. Our aim is to find a comfortable pace and try to stay out of trouble." said Rahill. Carrick on Suir's Casey Jay Coleman (Ford Fiesta Rally3) is amongst the 13 strong ERC3 entry. *** Meanwhile, Cashel's Pat O'Connell (Ford Fiesta R5) heads the entry for Sunday's Mitchelstown-based Sean Conlon Memorial Tipperary Forest Rally, the third round of the Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship. With his closest championship rivals Vivian Hamill and Niall Devine not making the long trip south, O'Connell has the opportunity to stretch his current three points championship advantage on the six stage event. Reigning champion Monaghan's Derek Mackarel (Ford Fiesta R5), who slid off on the last round, has a quick opportunity to get back into the frame. However, Tyrone's Jason Mitchell (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2), Waterford's Andrew Purcell, Niall McGonigle and Gareth Mimnagh, all in Ford Fiesta Rally2 cars will not make it easy. It will be interesting to see how former Irish Tarmac champion Darren Gass (VW Polo GTI R5) will fare on what is a rare gravel outing. The top ten also includes the Ford Fiesta Rally2's of Clonakilty's David Guest and Northern Ireland duo Stephen Dickson and Martin Cairns. Tyrone's Hugh McQuaid and Donegal's Damien Tourish, both in Ford Escort RS1800's head the Modified category.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
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.
