Branch remains in top three despite 13th finish
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday January 8, 2025 16:00
Since the start of the race, Branch has remained in the third spot but after today's racing, Skyler Howes is threatening his podium place spot. Branch has allowed the American biker to close in on him as the local rider is now only 51 seconds ahead of the fourth-placed, Howes. The Kalahari Ferrari set off from the fifth spot in stage four of the Dakar Rally's 588km. The stage four kick-started the marathon stages of the 2025 Dakar Rally. It is regarded as one of the most challenging stages since the start of the race on January 3. Today's terrain comprises volcanic landscapes and narrow valleys. The local lad did not have the best time on the bike as he clocked one of the slowest times in this edition of the race to settle for the 13th spot.
He had enjoyed a steady run on the bike only to rue it with a navigation error in the last 20km of stage four as he lost ground by just less than 20 minutes. Branch is, however, relieved that his bike is in fine condition. 'It was a bit disappointing. It was a good day until the last 20km and we made a big, big mistake and I guess that is rally, so let us see what happens tomorrow. This is a really tough Dakar so we will just have to see how it goes. Tomorrow we will probably start a bit further back than I would like but it is racing and let us see if we can fix it tomorrow.' 'My tyre is fine, bike is fine. I am good so I should be happy but really annoyed that we made such a stupid mistake at the end and during the stage I made also one mistake so we see what will happen. We needed to make it happen today, today was the last day to make a difference and we did not do that but it is what it is let us see what we can do next week,' a disappointed Branch told Dakar Rally media this afternoon.
It is the first time since the start of the 2025 Dakar Rally that Branch has finished outside the top 10 during the stages. Australian, Daniel Sanders remains in the overall lead after four stages. He is 26 minutes and 10 seconds ahead of Branch extending his lead by close to 20 minutes from stage three racing.