DAKAR RALLY: Hero MotoSports’ Ross Branch third in Stage 1
Words and images courtesy Hero MotoSports
Picture above; Ross Branch was on the podium in the Prologue and Stage 1
Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, Hero MotoCorp, completed the first of the twelve stages of the world’s toughest rally delivering an impressive result.
Branch.
Ross Branch, fresh from his podium finish at the Prologue, continued his impressive form, crossing the finish line with the third-fastest time in Stage 01!
The Botswanan hero looks in great rhythm and looks poised for a strong rally campaign.
Ross Branch said: “Stage 1 is done, the rally looks challenging at the start itself and hence, I’m bracing myself for a long and intense Dakar. I had a blast today, despite making a couple of silly mistakes early on. Luckily, they didn’t cost me too much. I’m just glad to have made it through in one piece, and I’m relieved to hear that my teammate Basti is okay after his crash. Tomorrow’s stage is going to be a long one, so I’ll be focusing on preserving my bike and pacing myself. Overall, I really enjoyed today’s stage – looking forward to the next one!”
Cornejo.
His teammate from Chile – Nacho Cornejo also delivered a solid performance, securing the 9th position.
Cornejo said: “Stage 1 is in the books, and I’m relieved to have made it through a tough day. Opening the stage from km 20 onwards was mentally exhausting, but overall I’m happy of the job I did. Although I lost a few minutes and I did make some mistakes, but fortunately, they weren’t too costly. I feel sad for my teammate Basti, who unfortunately crashed out of the race. I wish him a speedy recovery. As always, I want to thank my team for their incredible support. We’ll keep pushing our limits and giving it our all, day by day.”
Nacho Cornejo was ‘relieved’ to get through the tough first Stage in ninth
Bühler.
Sebastian Bühler’s Dakar campaign came to an abrupt end today after an unfortunate crash at km 68, leaving him with a shoulder injury.
The Portugal athlete was looking in great form and finished in the top 10 yesterday, but will now focus on his recovery.
Buhler said: “Unfortunately, I had a crash at km 70. In a braking zone, I hit a rock and fell over. The crash itself was not bad but I felt a strong pain in my collarbone. Unfortunately, its broken and I am unable to continue in the race. Thanks to my mate Skyler Howes for stopping by to help me. I wish my teammates Ross and Nacho all the best for the remaining stages.”
Sebastian Bühler’s Dakar is over after he sustained a shoulder injury
His teammates Ross Branch and Nacho Cornejo will carry the team’s flag forward in the rally.
Following a steady start at the Prologue, the Dakar Rally contenders tackled their first full stage today, departing as early as 5 AM.
The 500 km loop, situated in the desert south of Bisha, pushed riders to their limits.
The inaugural full stage of the Dakar 2025 was a mentally and physically draining experience, signaling that this year’s rally will be a true challenge, even for the most seasoned competitors.
The stage featured a diverse range of surfaces, including treacherous sand, rocky, and stony terrain, demanding constant adjustments in speed.
Tomorrow, competitors will embark on the highly anticipated 48-Hour Chrono Stage.
As soon as the clock strikes five, riders will be required to stop at the nearest of six designated rest areas, where they will be completely isolated from the outside world.
With no team assistance or external support, competitors will rely solely on their own resources, preparing their own meals and setting up camp under the desert stars.
The following morning, they will resume their journey north of Bisha, tackling diverse and challenging terrains.
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