Hero announces expanded three-rider line-up for Dakar
Hero MotoSports Rally team has announced an expanded three-bike line-up for 2018 Dakar rally, with Spanish rider Oriol Mena joining incumbents CS Santosh and Joaquim Rodrigues.
#48 Hero MotoSports Team Rally: CS Santosh
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It will be Mena’s second outing with Hero, having first competed for the Indian manufacturer in PanAfrica Rally earlier this year.
Hero entered cross-country rallying in 2016 after partnering up with Germany’s Speedbrain. Since then it has had plenty of success in both Indian and international rallies, with Rodrigues finishing 12th on his and Hero’s debut in January.
The Indian manufacturer introduced an updated bike in PanAfrica Rally, which was tested further in the Oilibya Rally. More developments are expected in the run-up to next year’s Dakar, which runs from January 6-20.
”We are [also] pleased with our motorsport team, which in its debut season made a mark in rallies across continents last year," said Hero MotoCorp's boss Pawan Munjal at the EICMA in Italy.
"The team is now ready for Dakar 2018. We are also taking our learning and experience from motor sports to develop new concepts and products for our customers,” he added.
The 2018 Dakar Rally will begin in Peru and conclude in Argentina, traversing through Bolivia in the process. Over a span of two weeks, competitors will cover a distance of 9,000km. For reference, all major cross-country rallies in India are only 2,000 km long.
Rally-inspired concept bike
At the occasion, Hero also unveiled a rally-inspired concept bike, christened as the Xpulse.
When on sale, the adventure bike will be available in two versions: a hardcore off-road variant and a touring friendly trim.
While the details are scarce at the moment, it is likely to be powered by a 200cc engine. It will lock horns with the Royal Enfield Himalayan.
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