Branch loses out on world title

Branch finished 25th at the Zagora-held race which was the fourth of the five rounds of the series. The 35-year-old had a blistering start to his debut World Championship appearance. He won the first round, the Kazakhstan Rally, in June. The round win gave him a five-point lead on the log standings as he sat on 25 points going into the second round.

In round two, Branch had a race to forget at the Silk Way Rally held in Russia. The rider's grip at the top of the standings loosened as he dropped out of round two after his motorcycle broke down just 49km into stage three of the Silk Way Rally. The sorry showing in Russia dented Branch's title chances.