Could it be Branch time at Dakar Rally?
KABELO BORANABI | Friday January 19, 2024 08:20
This is Branch's second stage win in this year's edition of the race following a win on day one on January 5. The biker has now accumulated five stage wins in his six appearances in the Dakar Rally. Today sees Branch in sight of Dakar Rally glory in the final stage of this year's edition. He is second behind Ricky Brabec of the United States, while Frenchman Adrien van Beveren is third in the overall rankings. Branch trails Brabec by 10 minutes and 22 seconds as 328km remain until end of the race. His second spot is almost secured, as Van Beveren is four minutes and nine second behind. It has been a very pleasant display by Branch on the bike in the Persian Gulf as he spent three first stages in the lead.
For the better part of the race, Spanish rider, Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo was Branch's main threat. The Spanish fell off and allowed Brabec to sneak in to top the charts. The experienced American biker has been in the lead in the last four stages of the race prior to the final stage. The stage 12 of the race is the second shortest in this year's edition. It presents a perfect platform for Branch whose greatest strength has been speed and acceleration. The stage 12 could not be less challenging for the bikers as the terrain features a more flat surface with less obstacles. Branch has covered 7, 563km of the 7, 891km in 49 hours, 37 minutes and 57 seconds over 12 stages, including the prologue stage. Ahead of the final stage, just over 100 riders remain in the challenge race from the 179 that were at the starting point earlier this month. Branch's highest finish is a 13th spot on his debut in 2019. He won the best rookie award in the edition.
In 2020, he finished 21st, but bagged his first stage win while he did not conclude the race in 2021 and 2022 editions as he quit the race on Stage 9 and Stage 8 respectively. In 2023, Branch managed one of his best performances at the race with two stage wins but was unlucky to finish 26th due to a crash and mechanical problems.