Branch’s gruelling race to the top
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday January 27, 2024 06:00
Early struggles
The Jwaneng-raised star enjoyed a good debut at the Dakar Rally in 2019, finishing as the Best Rookie and in 13th place in the overall rankings. Branch’s maiden participation at this high-level race proved difficult right from the beginning, as the then amateur biker and his commercial pilot had to raise over P500, 000 to realise his dream.
Once that hurdle had been overcome, the gods smiled on Branch yet again when, without the backing of a factory team, he was off to a flying start, missing the top 10 by a whisker.
It would take three more Dakar Rally appearances before the local lad signed with a factory team. Among other benefits, the move eased Branch’s preparations for his future participation as he no longer had to go cap in hand soliciting funding.
The financial backing of a factory team also provided him with a platform to earn some money on the bike. Branch won his first stage in 2020, but failed to complete the race in 2021 and 2022 despite his growing confidence and demonstrated riding skill.
Indian manufacturer, Hero MotorSport beat competition for Branch’s signature in February 2022 and the following year the local lad made his first Dakar appearance with the team.
It was one of Branch’s best performances. Although he was unlucky not to win the race, Branch surpassed expectations with two stage wins, taking his tally to three.
His 2024 exploits
Branch describes the 2024 edition as one of the most gruelling races of his life. In addition to his first podium finish, he became the first Motswana to achieve this feat and also the first African since Alfie Cox of South Africa.
The legendary Cox had done so on three occasions, finishing second in 2002 and 2005 and third in 1999. Branch became the first Hero Motorsport rider to attain a podium best finish. The icing on the cake was when he returned home with two more stage wins to take his Dakar Rally tally to five.
A World Championship title looms
Branch is now second placed in the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) following his Dakar Rally success. He has accumulated 30 points after round one of the W2RC. This is more than half of the points he accumulated in the 2023 W2RC. Branch finished fourth with 58 points and missed the title by just 16 points and it is the biker’s highest finish in the championship. Four more rounds in three continents await Branch, beginning with the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in February.
“We are second in the world rankings. In 2023, we started round one at position 11 in the championship, so we are starting off strong and it looks like 2024 is going to be a good year for us. I am really looking forward to it.
We are going into the next round in three weeks in Abu Dhabi. This means we don’t have much time to get home and prepare, so I just have to ensure that I stay fit and ready for round two,” Branch said.
A potential target on the back?
With Branch’s star rising with every race, the biker is aware of the mounting pressure from his competitors who would have been keeping a watchful eye on him.
Branch used his recent Dakar Rally to gauge his strength against some of the world’s best riders like Great Britain’s Sam Sunderland and Toby Price of Australia.
“I think we made a statement when we took on the big teams. Our team was fantastic, they worked so hard to ensure we ended where we are now.
We have done so many kilometres, training and testing, and making sure the bike is fit for purpose,” said Branch, observing also that more work still needs to be done to prepare for the rest of the season.
Branch versus other Batswana bikers
Only four Batswana have tested the difficult terrain of the Dakar Rally. Thirty-seven-year-old Branch is the second Motswana to compete at the world’s most difficult off-road race and is so far the most successful. Before him was 26-year-old Vincent Crosbie who made his debut in 2017 and finished 26th overall.
Maun-based James Alexander followed in 2021 and finished outside the top 100 at 117th spot. John Kelly was the other when he participated in 2022 finishing in the 115th spot.