Misfortune stalks Branch
Struggles at the Rallye Du Maroc in Morocco
The 4th Stage of the Rallye Du Maroc in Morocco saw local motorcycle racing ace, Ross Branch, experiencing mechanical gremlins on his motorcycle once again earlier this week.
The Monster Energy Yamaha rider continued a streak of bad luck after he experienced problems with his rear wheel, which forced him to withdraw from the stage.
Branch’s recent racing career trajectory has seen him crashing out of a number of high- profile racing events. The rider had a torrid time when he could not finish the Dakar Rally earlier this year. Gifted with natural speed and impeccable racing craft, Branch burst into high profile off- road international racing when he was crowned as the best rookie at the 2019 Dakar Rally and finished on 13th place, a sensational feat, given the fact that it was his first attempt.
The next year saw Branch ditching his KTM bike for a factory Monster Energy Yamaha team, which powered him to the next Dakar Rally scheduled for Jedda, Saudi Arabia, where he finished on 21st place. The 2021 Dakar Rally saw Branch crash out in perhaps one of his toughest races to date in Saudi Arabia. After competing in the North African country, Branch is expected on the
next Dakar Rally scheduled for Jedda, Saudi Arabia early next year.
Prior to competing at Rallye Du Maroc, Branch crashed out of the Silkway Rally staged in Russia. Branch has been having mixed fortunes since joining the famous and well- funded Monster Energy Yamaha team that saw him taking some of the best riders in the world in the 2021 Dakar Rally earlier this year. Branch failed to complete the 10 000km odyssey in the mysterious deserts of Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Fast forward to June this year, the local star was back to his winning ways when he dominated the Rally Kazakhstan, where he gave a vintage Ross Branch performance. Despite leading the point standing in the FIM World Rally Rankings,
the Silkway Rally, taking place between the harsh terrain of Russia and Mongolia, proved to be tricky for the Kalahari Ferrari’s 450cc Yamaha as he succumbed to the harsh desert terrain and was forced to retire from the event.
Before joining Monster Energy Yamaha, Branch made a name for himself; KTM supported the rider when he travelled to the 2019 Dakar Rally in Peru, South America and exceeded all expectations by winning the best Rookie award and finishing in position 13th. The next Dakar Rally will provide Branch with his best chance of winning the toughest motorsport event on the planet with a strong factory team behind him. Branch was expected to compete in the Rallye Du Maroc fifth stage during press time.