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Ross Branch Brings World Rally-Raid Title Home:

Branch Crowned 2024 W2RC FIM Champion

How does it feel to be a world champion? For Ross Branch, it’s a dream come true. Achieving this milestone in 2024, alongside his second-place finish at the Dakar Rally, makes this season incredibly special for him and the Hero Motorsports team.

The Monster Energy athlete from Botswana arrived at the Rallye du Maroc, the final round of the five-event 2024 W2RC series, as the leader. The battle for the title was still fierce, particularly with Ricky Brabec, the accomplished Dakar winner (2020 and 2024), in second place as a rival.

Brabec’s retirement after the first stage significantly impacted Branch’s strategy. As the first-stage winner, the Hero Motorsports racer no longer had to contend with his main American rival. Instead, he simply needed to finish the race to claim the crown—easier said than done in rally raids, where every detail matters and danger lurks around every corner.

After five stages and 2468 km, Ross Branch showcased the desert racing skills that have earned him the nickname “Kalahari Ferrari” and could finally celebrate with his team, Hero Motorsport, India’s leading two-wheeler company and one of the biggest players in the world’s bike industry.

Ross Branch in action, Morocco. © MCH Photography

Ross, congratulations! What a golden moment!

Only this crown was missing in such an incredible season that started with a podium finish in Dakar. It means a lot to me and my team; eight years of passionate racing, persistence, and hard work have brought us here.

What’s next?

A win is a win, and having a world championship on my CV is a great acknowledgement. I have worked my entire life for this, and the team also deserves this championship. But our main goal is to win Dakar. We came close last time, leading in the first week, so we’ll strive to do even better this year.

What was the main challenge?

Finishing the rally healthy and fit is crucial since Dakar is less than 100 days away. At the same time, it was a competition, and the world title was at stake. It was tricky, but I wanted to win the race for myself and the team. We took it day by day, stage by stage.

What was your mantra during this time?

No regrets. I came here to give my best, and I didn’t want to leave feeling that I could have done something better. This mindset guarantees that I can fly home with a big smile regardless of the outcome because I did my best.

Sometimes, even slowing down can be dangerous.

Strategy is always important, especially in a factory team. However, overthinking can be risky. You have to go out there and enjoy it. We ride dirt bikes because we love it. I set my risk limits and adjust accordingly, but when you start overthinking or focusing solely on the championship, you tend to take more risks.

How did your second place at Dakar change your life?

It didn’t change my mindset since I’ve always aimed to win. What really changed were the lessons we learned to improve. Leading the Dakar, getting lost, recovering, and then dropping down a few places showed that we need to address certain aspects—whether it’s my skills as a rider, the bike, or navigation. So many elements contribute to a rally, and the final result reflects every detail.

What kind of work have you done throughout the season?

I focused on the small details to improve. I’m still relatively young in rally racing, having started my first Dakar in 2019, so I worked hard on navigation, especially when opening the track and going as fast as possible. I also trained rigorously in the Namibian desert.

Finally, what modifications have you made to the bike?

This is an evolution. The team has done an incredible job, quickly making significant changes. We adjusted a few things regarding the bike’s weight and the engine, and overall, it’s now 110 per cent better. A big thank you to the team for their hard work.

Looking ahead to Dakar, what is your target?

We want to win and have a strong lineup with Nacho Cornejo and Sebastian Buhler. Although it’s an individual sport, it’s also a team effort; a strong team is essential.