Branch fires early warning shot as Portugal fuels title push
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday March 20, 2026 11:56
The performance reinforces his growing status as a genuine title contender. Coming off an eighth-place finish at the Dakar Rally, where he collected 12 valuable championship points, Branch has begun the season in a controlled fashion calculated, disciplined, and still firmly in the hunt.
Dakar has long been his toughest test, a race that has previously ended in crashes and zero points, forcing him to chase the championship from behind.
This time, he completed the job. He finished, scored, and kept himself in contention. That shift in approach is already paying dividends.
At the start of Portugal rally, Branch sits eighth in the W2RC standings, trailing early leader Luciano Benavides and a cluster of factory riders who have set the early pace.
The gap remains, however in rally-raid terms, it is not decisive. Championships are not defined by one race, but by how riders respond across multiple rounds, and Portugal is where Branch is expected to respond.
The BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal is a very different challenge to the Dakar dunes. It is a technical, navigation-heavy event, built on forest tracks, gravel roads, tight corners, and constantly shifting terrain, where precision and control are often more important than outright speed. Riders must manage grip, read the roadbook accurately, and maintain rhythm without overcommitting.
Branch’s fourth finish on stage one is therefore significant. It suggests he has adapted quickly to the terrain and is already operating near the sharp end of the field. In rally-raid language, it is a statement of pace, not a full attack, but enough to signal he is ready to fight.
This is not unfamiliar territory for the Botswana rider. In the 2024 W2RC season, Branch finished fifth in Portugal, using that consistency as part of the platform that carried him to the world championship.
That year, he did not dominate every rally, but remained a constant presence inside the top five and a model of consistency that ultimately delivered the title.
However, Portugal has also exposed his vulnerabilities. In the 2025 edition, Branch suffered a crash that forced him out of the rally, highlighting the fine margins that define success and failure in this discipline.
One miscalculation can undo an entire campaign. This year, the early signs are more positive. The combination of a solid Dakar and a strong opening stage in Portugal suggests a rider who is not only in form but also managing the bigger picture, and a key requirement in a championship that spans continents and terrains.
Looking ahead, the W2RC calendar still offers four remaining rounds: Argentina (May 24–29), Morocco (September 28–October 3), and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (November 22–27), which closes the season. Each event presents an opportunity to score heavily and shift momentum.
The numbers are simple but powerful. A rally win carries 25 points. Branch currently sits 26 points behind the leader. One strong result, backed by consistent finishes, and the championship picture can change rapidly.