Ross Branch Wins FIM World Rally-Raid Championship

How does it feel to be a world champion? For Ross Branch, it’s a dream come true. Achieving this milestone in 2024, alongside his second-place finish at the Dakar Rally, makes this season incredibly special for both him and the Hero Motosports team.

The Monster Energy athlete from Botswana arrived at the Rallye du Maroc, the final round of the five-event 2024 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, as the championship leader. The battle for the title was fierce, particularly with Ricky Brabec; the accomplished 2020 and 2024 Dakar winner just behind, second in points.

The retirement of the American Honda rider Brabec after the first stage impacted Branch’s strategy. As the winner of the first stage, the Hero Motosports racer no longer had to contend with his main rival. Instead, he simply needed to finish the race to claim the crown—easier said than done in rally-raids, where every detail matters and danger lurks around every corner.

After five stages and 2,468 kilometers (1534 miles), Branch showcased the desert racing skills that have earned him the nickname “Kalahari Ferrari,” and finally celebrated with his Hero Motosports team. A team that is one of the biggest players in the worldwide motorcycle industry—the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, in terms of unit volume sales in a calendar year, since 2001. With this result the rally-raid world crown comes back to its roots in Africa with Branch, and at the same time, crosses the ocean to reach Indian giant Hero.

How does it feel to become world champion?

“It’s an amazing sensation. Only this crown was missing in such an incredible season that started with the runner-up place in the Dakar Rally. This achievement means a lot to me and my team; It’s a relatively young project for Hero: eight years of passionate racing, persistence, and hard work have brought us here.”

What’s next?

“A win is a win, and having a world championship on my CV is a great acknowledgment. I have worked my entire life for this, and the team deserves this championship as well. But our main goal remains to win Dakar. We came close last January, leading in the first week, so we aim to do even better this year.”

What was the main challenge here at the Morocco Rally?

“Finishing the rally healthy and fit was crucial, since the Dakar Rally is less than 100 days away. This thought was at the back of my mind, but the world title was at stake, so you need to compete. It was tricky, but I wanted to win the race for myself and the team. We took it day by day, stage by stage.”

What was your mantra during the rally?

“No regrets. I came here to give my best, and I didn’t want to leave feeling that I could have done something better. This mindset allows me that, regardless of the outcome, I can fly home with a big smile because I did my best.”

Sometimes even slowing down can be dangerous.

“Strategy is always important, especially in a factory team. However, overthinking can be risky. You have to go out there and enjoy it. We ride dirt bikes because we love it. I set my limits in terms of risk and adjust accordingly, but the moment you start overthinking, doubting, or focusing solely on the championship, you tend to lose concentration and this can be dangerous.”

How did your second place at Dakar change your life?

“It didn’t change my mindset since I’ve always aimed to win. What really changed were the lessons we learned to improve. Leading the Dakar, getting lost, recovering, and then dropping down a few places showed that we need to address certain aspects—whether it’s my skills as a rider, the bike, or navigation. So many elements contribute to a rally, and the final result reflects every single detail.”

With you the title goes back to its roots in Africa.

“The welcome I received after the Dakar at home in Botswana was incredible. I met the president and had dinner with the minister of sport. It was huge for such a small country to have someone like me representing Botswana on the Dakar podium.”

And in India?

“The welcome we received in India after the Dakar podium is unforgettable. It was a historic achievement for an Indian company. It was incredible to meet the management and some of the people of the company. Hero is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters. Seeing their enthusiasm and their passion we understood that we created history for Indian motorsports.”

What kind of work have you done throughout the season?

“I focused on the small details to improve. I’m still relatively young in rally racing, having started my first Dakar in 2019, so I worked hard on navigation, especially opening the track. I spent a lot of time training in the Namibian desert.”

What about Hero’s bike? You looked really comfortable.

“The team has done an incredible job making significant changes in a short time. We adjusted a few things regarding the bike’s weight and the engine. All in all, it’s now 110 percent better. A big thanks to the team for their hard work.”

Looking ahead to Dakar, what is your target?

“We want to win, and we have a strong lineup with Nacho Cornejo and Sebastian Bühler. Although it’s an individual sport, it’s also a team effort; a strong team is essential.”