Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, Hero MotoCorp, has taken the lead position at the ongoing Rallye du Maroc 2024 with an impressive performance in Stage 1. Hero team pilot Ross Branch emerged as the fastest rider of the stage.

Riders Ross Branch, Sebastian Buhler and Nacho Cornejo, who were competing in the premier Rally GP Class, finished the first stage in 1st, 6th and 8th place, respectively. In the overall Rally GP Class standings, they are currently ranked 1st, 6th and 9th. Branch had the advantage of starting 11th for Stage 1 after placing second in the Prologue, which he capitalised by finishing first by a 48-second cushion over his closest rival. Cornejo started the stage today and made a determined effort to go cautiously across the incredibly challenging terrain, reaching the finish line without suffering any significant errors.

The first complete Stage of the 2024 edition included 180 km of timed sections and an additional 200 km of liaisons. The event organisers had to make last-minute changes to the race strategy yesterday when floods caused delays in the cars' arrival at the bivouac in Zagora. Participants in Stage 1 were dispatched on the Stage 2 course, although with a shorter mileage and later start times. However, this circuit around Zagora turned out to be one of the most difficult stages that Maroc has experienced recently. On rocky, uneven paths badly harmed by the rains, the day began with dangerous pathways that lay ahead, with much of the original routes swept away. In the last stretch, where visible, rolling trails guided the way to the finish line, the riders finally found some solace after risking their journey across narrow dunes.

In Stage 2, the participants will return to the original course planned for Stage 1. This second loop around Zagora will be one of the longest specialities in this year, spanning 314 km in the Sahara and an additional 158 kilometres in road sections.

Rallye du Maroc is the fifth and final round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2024. Since the second race of this season, Branch has held the top place in the standings chart, and this impressive perfoemance in the Maroc Rally has increased his chances of winning the World Championship title.

Branch said, "I’m happy to have finished Stage 1 with a good result. It was a really tough one – definitely one of the most challenging stages I’ve ever ridden at Rallye Du Maroc! The tracks were really beaten up and washed away from yesterday’s rains, but I managed to pull through. Nacho did an amazing job opening the track; I can only imagine how much more difficult it would have been for him. Opening the Stage tomorrow will be a mammoth task, but we’re pushing forward with confidence."

Buhler said, "It was a very difficult Stage – perhaps one of the hardest I’ve ever ridden here at Maroc. The terrain was full of rocks and rivers, making it challenging to manoeuvre. I tried to maintain a good pace, but it wasn’t easy – every time I went full on the gas, I seemed to be hitting something. I’m glad to have finished well, and I hope tomorrow will be a bit smoother."

Cornejo said, "Stage 1 is complete, and it was very rough, thanks to the rains from yesterday. I did my best opening the Stage, and lost a few minutes here and there. But overall, I’m happy with my focus and navigation. Tomorrow is a new day, so we’ll keep pushing and doing our best – one day at a time."

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Vietnamese automotive company VinFast has unveiled a global business strategy for its electric scooter division, identifying the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand and Malaysia as its initial markets. The expansion follows the company’s performance in Vietnam, where it delivered 406,453 units in 2025 to secure the largest share of the domestic scooter market.

The company plans to introduce a portfolio of models including the VinFast Flazz, Evo, Feliz II and Viper e-scooters, which will come with battery-swapping technology.

VinFast has completed a master plan for three product lines categorised as mainstream, premium and sport. To support these products, the company is collaborating with V-Green to establish charging and battery-swapping infrastructure.

The Philippines will become the first market in this phase, where VinFast has partnered with five dealers: Maverick Racing Factory Inc., MotorCentral, New Nemar Development Corp., Supremebike Corporation and ARC Trading. Globally, the company targets the establishment of hundreds of retail outlets by 2027. The commercial model integrates dealer networks, workshops and financial solutions.

The strategy focuses on regions with high urban mobility demand and shifts toward sustainable transport. VinFast intends to use its manufacturing capabilities and a pricing strategy to compete in the regional scooter segment.

Vo Thi Cam Tu, Managing Director, VinFast E-Scooters Overseas Market, said, "Expanding our e-scooter business globally represents a strategic pillar in VinFast's long-term development roadmap. We have conducted in-depth market research, worked closely with local partners, and developed comprehensive plans for dealer network expansion, product portfolios, and service ecosystems. Through collaboration with reputable dealers and strategic partners worldwide, VinFast is committed to delivering smart, sustainable, and accessible electrified mobility solutions, contributing meaningfully to the green transformation of transportation in diverse markets."

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In a significant step to elevate service standards across its network, Classic Legends has inaugurated an advanced National Training Centre at its Pithampur facility in Indore. This centre represents a substantial investment in cultivating future-ready talent through superior training infrastructure. Its core purpose is to enhance the technical competency of dealership technicians and service professionals, thereby standardising repair practices and ensuring consistent aftersales excellence.

The facility is equipped with cutting-edge resources, including a modern showroom, smart classrooms and specialised laboratories for engine, electrical and advanced troubleshooting work. Supported by latest diagnostic tools, it offers a structured learning pathway from foundational to advanced skill levels. The training emphasises hands-on, skill-oriented education in real-world diagnostics and precision repair, fostering deep root cause analysis capabilities.

Ultimately, this initiative strengthens the company's entire service ecosystem. It is designed to nurture highly skilled professionals and robustly support advanced training programmes. This investment ensures Classic Legends' expanding community of riders receives reliable, high-quality support, reinforcing a superior ownership experience for all its motorcycle enthusiasts.

Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Classic Legends, said, “As our brands continue to grow, strengthening our service capability ecosystem becomes extremely important. The Advanced National Training Centre is a strategic investment in people, skills and infrastructure, aimed at building future-ready technicians and standardising service excellence across our network. This centre will play an important role in ensuring every JAWA, YEZDI and BSA rider enjoys a consistent and high-quality ownership experience.”

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Vespa has expanded its Lunar Collection with two new releases that embody elegance and symbolic meaning for the Year of the Horse: the limited-edition Vespa 946 Horse scooter and the IN SELLA fashion capsule, the third drop of the AL VENTO collection. The scooter is a tribute to the horse's regal and resilient spirit, while the apparel line offers a contemporary sartorial interpretation of the same theme, both crafted with meticulous Italian artistry.

The Vespa 946 Horse distinguishes itself through a deep bay colour, mirroring the glossy coat of a horse. Its steel body is reimagined with contrasting matte and gloss finishes, accented by refined golden details such as the V monogram set within a horseshoe beneath the saddle. Exemplifying Italian craftsmanship, the model features a hand-stitched leather saddle inspired by equestrian tack, with matching premium leather trims on the handlebars and mirrors. A coordinated set of accessories includes a practical leather rear bag and a jet helmet adorned with a three-dimensional gold V, reinforcing the edition’s strong identity.

Parallel to the scooter, the IN SELLA fashion collection is designed for those who view style as an authentic personal expression. It introduces a new Royal crest, a contemporary graphic featuring a symmetrically mirrored horse and dachshund, inspired by Vespa’s archives. This emblem is showcased on a wool varsity jacket enhanced with gold embroidery. The line utilises a timeless navy blue palette, with knitwear incorporating the V monogram and stitching details reminiscent of saddlery. The offering includes modern sweatshirts, T-shirts and an ironic poplin shirt depicting a man in a Vespa helmet and a horse enjoying espresso together. Completing the lifestyle range is the Vespa Royal blanket, crafted in soft wool with a jacquard logo and contrasting red fringes.

The Vespa 946 Horse is now available for pre-order on the company website and at the VESPA THE EMPTY SPACE store in Milan, where it is exclusively displayed. The IN SELLA collection launches simultaneously for purchase online and at the Milan store, where the matching Horse helmet will also be available for preview ahead of its limited release on 10 February.

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KTM has launched its global-specification 390 Adventure R in India, with an ex-showroom Delhi price of INR 377,915, delivering rally-bred performance and uncompromised international hardware to the local adventure riding community. This model firmly expands the KTM R stable and redefines the potential of a middleweight adventure motorcycle.

At the heart of its rally-inspired design is a potent 399 cc engine, supported by a purpose-built chassis that promotes a low centre of gravity and nimble handling. The motorcycle is distinguished by its true off-road wheel setup, featuring a 21-inch front and an 18-inch rear wheel, combined with 230 mm of fully adjustable WP suspension. This configuration provides exceptional obstacle clearance, trail stability and precise rider feedback on the most challenging terrain.

Electronically, the 390 Adventure R is equipped to inspire confidence across all surfaces. Its suite includes Cornering Motorcycle Traction Control and Cornering ABS, enhancing safety and control during aggressive pavement riding. When the route turns to loose dirt, sand or gravel, the dedicated OFF ROAD Ride Mode and OFF ROAD ABS allow for controlled rear-wheel slip and locking, facilitating expert-level off-road manoeuvres. These electronic settings are persistently retained, even after an engine stall, ensuring immediate readiness to continue the journey.

Ergonomically, the motorcycle is crafted for serious adventure, offering an upright riding position, off-road footpegs and a rally-style windscreen designed for all-day comfort during long tours or technical trail riding. Interaction is facilitated through a modern 5-inch full-colour TFT display, which offers customisable data and excellent visibility. The system is further enhanced by KTMconnect, enabling smartphone integration for calls, music and optional navigation directly on the instrument cluster, while a standard USB Type-C port keeps devices charged. This combination of uncompromised hardware, advanced electronics and connected technology positions the KTM 390 Adventure R as a uniquely capable and comprehensive adventure platform.

Manik Nangia, President – Probiking, Bajaj Auto Ltd., said, “The KTM 390 Adventure R represents the purest expression of KTM’s rally and off-road DNA in the middleweight adventure segment. By bringing the international-spec model to India, we are offering adventure enthusiasts a machine that delivers confidence everywhere – on the road, off the road and beyond.”

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