From Privateer to Powerhouse – Tobias Ebster Joins Hero MotoSports Team Rally
- Sven Syfrig
- May 5
- 2 min read
Big news in the rally world: Tobias Ebster, the 27-year-old Austrian sensation from Tyrol, has officially joined Hero MotoSports Team Rally, marking a major milestone in his already impressive and fast-evolving career.
A Hero’s Journey, Tobias Ebster
Tobias’ journey is a perfect mix of talent, grit, and persistence. He started out in the worlds of motocross and enduro — laying the groundwork for his riding style marked by control and endurance. His move to the rally scene turned heads quickly:
🏆 FIM Bajas World Cup Champion 2022
🥇 Winner of the Rally2 category at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
🥇 Original by Motul Winner and Best Rookie at Dakar 2024
Despite being a privateer, Tobias made waves during Dakar 2025, where he not only raised eyebrows with his speed and consistency but also brought home a stunning 9th place overall finish, making him the top-ranked privateer. He was the best Rally2 rider in the general classification and beat many factory-supported competitors — all while juggling logistics, navigation, and race strategy almost solo.
Now, as a full factory rider, he can fully focus on performance without the distractions and limitations of the privateer life. It’s a well-deserved step up that many in the scene already saw coming.
Welcome to Hero MotoSports
Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the official rally outfit of Indian motorcycle giant Hero MotoCorp, has grown from ambitious newcomer to serious W2RC contender since its formation in 2016. Based on a sharp mix of technical development and international rider talent, the team has quickly made a name for itself.
Their 2025 rider lineup is more promising than ever:
🇧🇼 Ross Branch, also known as the Kalahari Ferrari, continues to be a headline performer. With several Dakar stage wins to his name, he led Hero to historic success, including a runner-up finish at Dakar 2024 and wins in the W2RC.
🇨🇱 José Ignacio “Nacho” Cornejo, the experienced Chilean rider, brings world-class navigation skills and has delivered consistent Top 10 Dakar finishes — most recently P7 at Dakar 2025.
🇦🇹 Tobias Ebster, the latest addition and youngest member, adds fresh momentum to the squad with his fearless pace and untapped potential.
What's Next?
Tobias is set to make his debut in Hero factory colors later this month at the South African Safari Rally, where he'll test his new machine and team setup under full competition conditions.
With Hero MotoSports now aiming for the World Rally-Raid Championship title, the addition of Ebster signals a long-term investment in next-gen talent. And for Tobias, it's the beginning of a chapter where his full focus can be on racing, supported by one of the most dynamic setups in rally raid today.
The road ahead is fast, and the bar just got raised.
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