Thixton’s partner gets big incentive
ROSS Branch, the motorcycle racer who finished second at the recently concluded Dakar Rally, has been honoured and given an incentive of 124,000 Pula in his native country Botswana.
Branch is also credited for helping Zimbabwean rider, Ashley Thixton, to finish in the top 40 in his debut appearance at the biggest motor rallying event in the world.
By so doing, Thixton wrote his piece of history as he became the second Zimbabwean motorbike rider after Graeme Sharp to last the distance in the tough and challenging Saudi dunes.
Sharp achieved this remarkable feat in 2020 when the Dakar Rally was moved to Saudi Arabia.
Branch helped Thixton with his final preparations for the 2024 Dakar Rally by inviting him for a three-day training camp in Botswana before they departed for Saudi Arabia.
This paid off big time for Thixton as he surprised all and sundry by finishing 32nd overall in the tough bike section of the 2024 Dakar Rally which ran from January 5 to 19 in the Middle East country.
There was a big entry of 137 male and female motorbike riders including our own “daredevil”, Thixton.
While Thixton is yet to be rewarded for his phenomenal achievement at this year’s Dakar Rally by the local sporting authorities, his training partner Branch recently received a hero’s welcome in Botswana with that country’s National Sports Commission holding a dinner for the legendary rider and presenting him with a cheque for his outstanding achievement during last month’s 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.
According to reports from Botswana, Branch was lauded and presented with a cheque at an appreciation dinner held in his honour by the Botswana National Sports Commission last Thursday.
Botswana’s Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, presented the cheque, breaking it down as follows: P100 000 for his second place podium finish, P20 000 for qualifying for the Dakar Rally, and P4 000 for his participation in this international rally.
“Additionally, we will assist him with P100 000 for the next Dakar Rally competition,” Rakgare stated.
As the first Motswana to achieve a podium finish at the Dakar Rally and being recorded as the best African biker at the 2024 championship race, Rakgare said that Branch would continue to be one of the greatest country’s ambassadors.
He noted that Branch had improved his performance over the years and significantly increased his fans and supporters, leading to partnerships with entities such as Lucara and Hero.
Rakgare highlighted the potential to grow Botswana sport and showcase Batswana talent, urging the Botswana Motorsport Executive to engage with BNSC, Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO), and Botswana Invest-ment and Trade Centre (BITC) to leverage these successes and plan the best way to grow motorsport in Botswana, ultimately aiming to promote the country and increase revenue.
“Achievements such as this should remind you of the opportunity available to contribute to the betterment of this country,” Rakgare said.
In his note of appreciation, Branch expressed gratitude to the nation for their support in his journey.
He stated: “This has always been a childhood dream, to achieve a Dakar Rally podium finish.”
Knowing he had support from home kept him going during the toughest race. He encouraged young people aspiring to achieve such dreams to work hard and focus on their goals.
Kagiso Modibedi, Botswana Motorsport president, also expressed gratitude for Branch’s wins, saying they were a source of pride for the country and the association. He noted that the rally was one of the toughest, but Branch showed the world that with perseverance, achieving success was possible.
Meanwhile, BNSC Board chairperson Marumo Morule emphasised the importance of family support in the success