Dakar Rally 2026: Hero MotoSports Holds Top 10 in Stage 8 with Cornejo P6 Overall, Branch P8

Hero MotoSports stayed inside the top 10 during Stage 8 of the Dakar Rally 2026 in the motorcycle class. The day featured a 483km timed stage from Al Duwadimi to Wadi ad-Dawasir. It was the longest special of the rally and demanded focus for many hours. Riders crossed open desert, fast plateaus, and narrow canyons, with direction changes throughout the route. Navigation mattered as much as speed, especially across wide desert sections. The stage ended back in Wadi ad-Dawasir, closing a loop that tested riders and machines. For fans following the rally, this stage felt like a turning point as the event moved deeper into the second week, with consistency becoming more important than outright pace for racing fans.

Also Read: Dakar Rally 2026: Hero MotoSports Maintains Top 10 Overall After Stage 7

Hero MotoSports rider Nacho Cornejo finished eighth on the stage after managing the distance with control. The long route required steady riding rather than pushing early. Cornejo focused on keeping the bike safe through the full 483km and avoided mistakes in navigation. His approach suited the stage layout, where small errors could cost time.

Ross Branch ended Stage 8 in 11th place. Conditions changed later in the day, with sandstorms and wind affecting visibility. Navigation became harder in sandy areas, forcing riders to slow down and read the terrain carefully. Branch brought the bike back without issues, which mattered as the rally moves into tougher stages.

After eight stages, Cornejo sits sixth overall, 45 minutes and 58 seconds behind leader Luciano Benavides. Branch holds eighth place in the overall standings. Both Hero MotoSports riders completed the stage without incidents, keeping their machines ready for what lies ahead. Consistent finishes have kept the team firmly inside the top 10.

Benavides won Stage 8 riding for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and now leads the rally by 10 seconds over teammate Daniel Sanders. Ricky Brabec sits third, 4 minutes and 47 seconds behind. The next test is the second Marathon Refuge stage, covering 418 kilometres without team support, where riders must handle repairs on their own.