Branch holds ground in Portugal as W2RC fight tightens
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday March 27, 2026 11:54
The local rider finished seventh overall in round two, adding to his Dakar tally to move to 23 points overall, and remains eighth in the championship standings after two rounds.
It is not a jump up the leaderboard, but crucially, it is not a step back as he is 25 points from the top spot.
Portugal proved as demanding as expected. The technical European terrain, tight forest tracks, slippery gravel, and unpredictable conditions forced riders into a careful balancing act between pace and survival.
Branch, who had opened strongly with a fourth-place finish on stage one, opted for control over risk as the rally unfolded.
Reflecting after the event, Branch emphasised the importance of finishing and scoring in a round that has previously caught him out. Speaking to rally media, the rider admitted to the challenges on the terrain.
“It was a really tough rally, completely different to Dakar. The conditions were tricky, and you had to stay focused all the time. For us, the goal was to get through it, score points, and keep building,” Branch said.
He added that the approach was deliberate, particularly given his position in the championship after Dakar.
“We are still in the fight. It is a long season, and every point counts. We did not take unnecessary risks, and that’s important for the championship,” he said.
The result underlines a clear shift in Branch’s strategy. In previous seasons, rallies like Portugal have led to setbacks, including crashes and retirements that cost him valuable points. This time, he stayed upright, managed the race and ensured he remained within touching distance of the leaders.
After two rounds, Branch’s 23 points keep him within range of the front-runners, even as the likes of Luciano Benavides of Argentina, Ricky Brabec of the USA and Spanish rider, Tosha Schareina continue to set the early pace.
The gap remains, but with three rounds still to come, the championship is far from decided.
The 2026 W2RC now moves to Argentina from May 24–29, followed by Morocco from September 28 to October 3 and the season-ending Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge from November 22 to 27, terrains that traditionally suit Branch’s riding style far more than the technical challenge of Portugal.
For now, his position is unchanged, but his campaign remains intact. Branch has done what every championship contender must do in the early rounds: survive, score, and stay in contention. The next phase will demand more than consistency, but as things stand, the local rider remains firmly in the race.