With a commanding lead in the World Rally-Raid rankings, Monster Energy’s Ross Branch is on a determined path towards his maiden world title. His stellar performances at the first four events of the year have placed him at the top, setting the stage for a potential victory at the final event in Morocco.
The World Rally-Raid tour is a gruelling test of skill and endurance. It consists of five events, and every result is crucial.
Branch took fourth place at the Infinia 2024 event in Argentina and fourth place at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
The Monster Energy rider also placed 7th in Portugal and Spain in the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid 2024. He topped off his current performance run with an excellent 2nd at Dakar 2024 in Senegal.
With 72 points to his name, Ross Branch is in a strong position to secure the World Rally-Raid title. His main challenge is to finish ahead of Ricky Brabec, who has 62 points, in the Rallye du Maroc in Morocco from the 4th to the 11th of October.
Branch rides a Hero 450cc off-road bike that weighs 180kg and has a fuel capacity of 34 litres, which allows him to cover about 280km.
Rally-Raid riders rely on a roadbook map for navigation, with no GPS assistance. This makes navigation particularly challenging, especially for the lead rider. Ross Branch, however, has a wealth of experience to draw upon, making him a formidable competitor.
Nicknamed the ‘Kalahari Ferrari’ by Botswana fans, after a fast local donkey-drawn cart, Ross Branch is a star back home, having won every possible local motocross and cross-country championship. In 2019, for his first Dakar outing, he finished ‘best rookie’ with an impressive 13th place. Finding a more enthusiastic, more positive rider is challenging. He’s living the dream, and he knows it.
“I started my journey in the world of racing at the age of 4 in a small Botswana town called Jwaneng,” shared Branch. “My dad and I used to ride every day, and that’s when my love for racing was born.”
Branch, whose main sponsors are Hero and Monster Energy, has a simple life motto that motivates him to be the best. “Never give up is my attitude towards life,’ said Branch, “Because eventually hard work pays off.”
