Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the factory rally team of Hero MotoCorp - the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters - has announced the signing of Austrian rally prodigy Tobias Ebster to its international rider line-up. The 27-year-old joins the team after a standout 2024 season that saw him finish among the elite in the Dakar Rally. Hailing from Zillertal, Austria, Ebster has quickly built a reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in the rally-raid world. A relative newcomer to the sport, he entered his first rally only four years ago - the Hellas Rally Raid - following a strong background in motocross and enduro.
Ebster's breakthrough came in 2022 when he clinched victory at the FIM Bajas World Cup in Dubai. He continued to turn heads with a win in the Rally 2 category at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, outperforming more experienced rivals and reinforcing his growing stature in the sport.
In 2024, Tobias made his Dakar Rally debut in the fiercely demanding "Original by Motul" category - racing without any team support. He emerged victorious in the class and finished an impressive 20th overall, earning the Best Rookie title. His entry came through the "Road to Dakar" program, underscoring his determination and resilience. The 2025 Dakar Rally saw him return as a privateer with assistance, where he delivered a top-10 finish, placing ninth overall and finishing as the top privateer in the field.
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."
Despite his rapid rise, Ebster has maintained a grounded approach. A trained mechanical engineering technician, he has held a variety of freelance jobs - from plumber and carpenter to taxi driver and pizza delivery rider - to support his training and racing pursuits.
His first competitive outing with Hero MotoSports will take place later this month at the South African Safari Rally, marking the event's debut on the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) calendar as the third round of the 2025 season. He will join teammates Ross Branch and Nacho Cornejo at the event.
Born into a motorsport-enthusiast family, Ebster was introduced to two wheels at the age of four. He was mentored by his uncle, rally-raid legend and two-time Motocross World Champion Heinz Kinigadner, who played a key role in nurturing his talent in motocross and desert racing. Ebster's entry into the Hero MotoSports Team Rally is seen as a strategic move to bolster the team's competitiveness while investing in future talent.