Branch opens lead in World Championship
Ross Branch has extended his lead from 12 to 21 points as he maintains a firm grip at the top of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).
Branch finished fifth at the just-ended BP Rally Ultimate Rally-Raid held in Portugal from April 2-7. Branch scored 11 points with a fifth-place finish to take his season points tally up to 61 points after three of four rounds.
The biker accumulated 20 points at the Abu Dhabi terrain, taking his tally to 50. Branch has 30 points from the 2024 Dakar Rally and round one of the W2RC. Before the third round, Branch led then second-placed and Dakar Rally winner, Ricky Brabec, by 12 points. The local biker has increased the gap to 21 points as French rider, Adrian van Beveren, moved to the second spot with 40 points while Brabec falls to the third with 38 points and 23 points behind the top spots.
It was a mixed spell for Branch in the Portuguese and Spanish border terrain. It was a poor start to the race as Branch suffered a crash in the opening stage of the race.
He picked himself up and finished eighth in the second stage of the BP Rally Ultimate Rally-Raid. He finished fifth in the third stage as Branch found his confidence on the saddle through the narrow tracks that featured the terrain on the day.
The Jwaneng-lad finished fifth on stage four of the race and secured fifth place on the final day to claim a fifth place overall.
“It was an awesome run in the World Championships and obviously, not my style and I got my a** kicked. It is what it is and that’s racing; there are ups and downs; there are some wins and losses but we will take it up on the chin. I am looking forward to a restart in Argentina in two months.
“I am feeling good, probably the best I felt the whole week was today (Sunday) on the bike and I enjoyed being out there in the forest.
“This probably was one of the hardest weeks in my career. Day one did not go according to plan at all and it was just incredible for us to get back on the bike and continue,” Branch reacted to his performance in Portugal.
Hero Motorsport Rally-Raid finished second in Portugal but remains first in the season factory team standings. Branch will have an extended break until the Desafio Ruta 40 to be held in Argentina in June. The race is round four of the championship while Morocco Rally is the final round and will be held in October.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Motor Sports National Off-Road Championship begins tomorrow with Kopong200.