Branch amongst podium places early into Dakar Rally

Branch returned to Saudi Arabia on the back of a very successful 2024 edition where he claimed the world title. The local biker was first off the blocks amongst 134 bikers at this year’s edition of the Dakar Rally. The most gruelling race returned to the Persian Gulf from January 3 to 17. The Dakar Rally is the first of five rounds of the 2025 World Rally Raid Championship. Branch is looking to better last year's second-place finish. It remains the biker's and Africa's best finish in the Dakar Rally's history. He, however, secured a second-place finish in the prologue as he lost his top spot ahead of stage one.

He went to finish third on stage one followed by a fifth place finish on stage two. This morning, despite ascending to the lead early on after the first 200km, Branch crossed the line in fifth position once again and only four minutes and 14 seconds behind stage winner, Lorenzo Santolino of Spain in stage three’s 793km distance.