Branch squeezes inside Dakar top 10
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday January 3, 2023 14:31
Branch's stage three performance is his second best thus far at the competition having had a rather slow start. The Hero Motorsport competitor on the opening came in at the 14th spot. On stage two Branch took it a gear higher as he finished fourth on the day. This morning Branch finished just outside the best 10 on the 14th position. From the two improved performance in stage three, the Kalahari Ferrari now had the podium places.
A 574km distance awaits the biker and his fellow competitors tomorrow. He will be hoping to carry the momentum in to the stage four as he inches closer to podium places before the two weeks race goes into recess over the weekend. A 13th overall finish remains Branch’s best at the Dakar Rally. This he achieved on his debut in 2019 as he walked off as the Best Rookie. Meanwhile, Daniel Sanders of Australian has taken an early lead in the overall standings.
The rider bagged his first stage win in this year’s edition of the race. Sanders looks likely to run with this year’s title from his early days’ exploits. Defending champion Sam Sunderland has retired from the race due to an injury on day one. On the other end favourites, USA’s Ricky Brabec and Toby Price are yet to assert their authority in this year’s edition. The Dakar Rally 2023 will come to completion on January 15, 2023.