Branch Wins Maiden World Championship

This was his first race since a disappointing Dakar Rally campaign in January. The Jwaneng-raised biker was quick off the blocks in the first of the seven day rally, as he bagged stage win on day one in what was the shortest, with just 2.2km of the 2,270km total distance.

On day two, in a stretched route, the Kalahari Ferrari was fourth fastest and hence dropped to third place in overall standings. Branch was back on the top of the standings on day three despite finishing third on the day. He had to overcome a tyre problem with just 50km to the finish of a stage distance just over 300km. Stage four was one of the longest and the fastest of all the rally stages.