Ross Branch will face the Dakar Rally carrying the #1 on his bike for the first time in his career, after clinching his first-ever rally-raid world championship (W2RC) title this year.
Speaking on the official Dakar website, the Hero MotoSports rider highlighted the achievement of finishing second in the 2024 edition, which paved the way for his W2RC championship win:
– Finishing on the podium of the Dakar has always been our goal, and it was a dream come true in the last edition. As for winning the W2RC title, there are no words to express the magnitude of this incredible moment. I’m delighted to see all the team’s hard work come to fruition, and witnessing everyone’s happiness is an achievement in itself. I’m lucky to be part of such a passionate family! I must thank everyone who believed in me and gave me this opportunity. It’s truly extraordinary! It’s been a long journey, 34 years of motorbike racing.
Looking ahead, Branch is optimistic but aware of the challenges ahead to claim victory: ‘Looking ahead to 2025, I see a bright future for our young team: this is just the beginning. This W2RC victory is one of Hero’s most significant steps in the right direction, and I’m very excited about the future. The Dakar will be really good in 2025. We still have a lot of work to do to get to the top step’.
