Michael Docherty is finally getting his shot as a factory rider. On Friday, Hero MotoSports announced his addition to the roster.

“After an incredible 2025 season, Michael joins us as an official rider and will debut in Hero colours at the upcoming Desafío Ruta 40 – Round 3 of the 2026 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC),” reads a statement from the team.

“With a record 37 stage wins in Rally2 and proven pace against RallyGP competitors, Michael brings speed, consistency, and serious intent to our line-up.

“As we build towards a strong Dakar Rally 2027 campaign, this is another big step in strengthening our global squad.”

Docherty had been a part of BAS World KTM Racing Team before departing in mid-April, ending a four-year stint with the team. Although BAS is the biggest KTM Rally2 team, they are not a factory program. He also raced a Husqvarna for SRG Motorsports at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge since BAS doesn’t operate in the UAE. With SRG, he won his class at the 2025 ADDC.

Although he never won for BAS, he claimed four podiums and a best finish of second at the 2025 Rallye du Maroc en route to a third-place points finish. In his final start for the team, the Dakar Rally in January, Docherty won nine stages but was 77th in the class overall due to a broken wheel. He skipped the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal.

Hero MotoSports is coming off a fifth in Portugal with Ross Branch, while José Ignacio Cornejo retired. The team also fields a Rally2 bike for Tobias Ebster, who broke his hand at Dakar.

Featured image credit: Bastien Roux / DPPI / ASO