Hero MotoCorp celebrated the 10th anniversary of its MotoSports Team Rally, highlighting a decade of achievements in global rally-raid. The event saw the launch of the "India's Next Dakar Hero" programme, a five-year partnership extension with Dakar Rally organisers, and the induction of young Indian racer Shlok Ghorpade, reinforcing the company's commitment to Indian motorsport talent.
Astride the TVS Sherco RTR 450, now he lines up for his seventh start, proudly carrying the Indian flag.
'I'm proud to represent India and Asia at this level'
Al-Attiyah retains overall lead; Sixth-placed Sebastien Loeb, the nine-times world rally champion driving for Dacia, remained in contention and was within 17 minutes of his leading teammate.
The 410km stage from Wadi Ad Dawasir to the overnight bivouac, first half of a marathon stage, was won by 21-year-old Polish non-factory Toyota driver Eryk Goczal.
In an encouraging development for the Indian women's hockey team, all the squad members are set to be included in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) when the review committee will identify a core group for the government-funded programme, next month.
