After an impressive start in the prologue and stage 1 of this year’s Dakar Rally, Botswana rider Ross Branch on Monday clocked seventh position on Stage 2 of the motorbike category in the race currently ongoing in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
Dubbed the Ferrari of the Kalahari, Branch on Sunday became the fastest competitor in Stage 1, but was however given a six-minute penalty which relegated him from first to seventh position.
The Hero MotoSports runner, who made his eighth appearance at the rally, was penalised for speeding as there are some sections on the route demarcated as low speed zones.
Branch’s best performance was in 2024 when he came second overall, delivering a historic podium finish.
The 48th Dakar Rally, held from January 3 to 17, will see competitors tackle 13 special stages across Saudi Arabia including two marathon stages where riders will camp in the desert with limited support.
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