12 Dec 2024

Kalahari Ferrari, Ross Branch is ready to rumble in the not so friendly Dakar Rally terrain to be held from Bisha to Shubaytah in Saudi Arabia from January 03-17, next year.

In the last edition of Kalahari Ferrari he finished second behind USA’s Ricky Brabec who clocked 51:30:08, and Branch was 10:53 behind the champion. In October, Branch made history by becoming the first rider from Africa to win the World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC).

Some pundits are of the view that wining W2RC, and “Hero” of the year award will serve as a motivator to even go an extra mille at Dakar Rally. 

Branch said in an interview that they were preparing, doing a lot of training and practicing in Namibia.

He said he had done over 11 000 kilometers of training this year in Namibia, adding that he had another 2 000 kilometers to go. 

Further, he said Dakar Rally was always the toughest race of the year, adding that the coming edition was going to be long days and nights.

“But I am more excited and I will be counting on Batswana’s support, and my aim is to hoist my country’s flag very high,” he said. 

The most important thing, he said would be to stay focused and make sure they were consistent, adding that he was going to do his best, and he was hoping to go for a podium finish.

 “The World Championships this year were incredible, I am so happy, privileged and proud to have won it,” he said. 

He said being the only African to have won that tittle, was good feeling and motivated him to do even better.

According to Dakar 2025 Bikes Daily, Branch who is among the favourites for the 2025 Dakar will carry number 1 on his Tork Craft-backed Hero MotoSports 450 Rally. 

It says Chilean José Ignacio Cornejo and German rider Sebastian Bühler in the Hero camp will back Ross Branch. ENDS