Branch brings world title home
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday October 11, 2024 14:37
The rider has come in fifth place in the final stage of the Rallye du Maroc (Morocco Rally) which started last weekend in the desert terrains of the North African state. The Rallye du Maroc is the final of the five 2024 W2RC rounds. The Kalahari Ferrari had started the fifth round on the lead in the World Championship standings and needed to keep it steady to clinch his first ever world title. The biker had kicked off the W2RC on good gear as he attained his best ever finish, a second place in the World Championship first round, Dakar Rally. Branch ascended to the top of the championship rankings after yet another second place finish in the second round, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
He maintained his place in the lead after two fifth place finishes at the BP Ultimate Rally Raid in Portugal and Desafio Ruta 40 in Argentina. The 38-year-old made a significant improvement from 2023 W2RC’s fourth finish while he had finished 13th on his debut season in the world championship in 2022. It was a good season on the bike for Branch who has over five rounds has accumulated 12 stage wins, his highest ever in three season in the world championship. He finished just behind Adrien van Beveren who has 14 stage wins, the most in this season. Branch will now take a breather and set eyes on the 2025 season opener, Dakar Rally in January.