Branch was forced to retire from the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge due to a mechanical problem just 107km on the stage two of the race. His motorbike had an unsolvable clutch forcing him to quit the race while further deeming his chances of retaining the world title he for the first last year. Branch had finished fourth on the prologue stage and went to clock sixth fastest time on the stage one of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on Sunday and sat on the overall fifth position of the race before the Monday’s stage two. The biker will for the second 2025 W2RC round failed to collect points.
He was unlucky not to finish the first round of the championship, Dakar Rally due to crash. Branch suffered minor injuries at the time but recovered just in time for the second round race. Prior taking it to the Abu Dhabi terrains, he admitted he was not fully fit but needed to get back on the saddle and chase the title defence. Unranked and without points at the start of the second round, Branch needed a podium finish at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge to keep his world title chances alive.
