“I have always wanted to be a world champion, so, I still have that to try and get. It is a long year ahead. We still have the rest of the world championship to focus on,” Ross Branch said this in an interview with this publication in February early this year.
At the time, the ‘Kalahari Ferrari’, as Branch is famously called, had achieved a feat not done before by a bike racer from Botswana. He had finished on the podium at the Dakar Rally.
Fast forward eight months later, his dream of winning the World Championship has been realised. This past week, Branch made history after he won the World Rally Raid Championship(W2RC).
Winning the Rally GP world championship in Morocco made him the first African and first Motswana to win this prestigious World Rally-Raid title. Attaining it for Hero Motor sports as well, an Indian brand he is a part of, it was their first championship.
Speaking of his crowning as the W2RC champion in a lively interview with Sunday Standard,the ever-smiling Branch could not hide his happiness.
“I’m over the moon. I am so happy and unable to contain my excitement. I’ve been after this title for nearly 34 years, and I finally got it. My team and I put a lot of work into this. We worked really hard and practiced extensively to attain this,” he said cheerily.
For him in particular, the win was an apotheosis of the sacrifices and setbacks he had to endure along the way. Speaking of these, the Kalahari Ferrari pointed out that ‘these are just pecks that come with the sport.’
His win was a well-deserved reward for his persistence and passion for motorcycle racing. The journey to this particular moment started at the Dakar Rally earlier in the year when, against all odds, he finished on the podium position.
This particular win brought Branch to the attention of the country. Given the magnitude of the Dakar Rally, his podium finish was celebrated across the Southern African region. It also reaped good rewards for him.
During his welcome ceremony, the Minister of Sports Tumiso Rakgare promised he will be given assistance for preparations. This was in addition to the P124 000 incentives he received from the sports ministry for his outstanding showing at the Dakar Rally.
With the backing of his own people, Branch did not look back. His next challenge was the Abhu Dhabi Desert Challenge Rally where he finished in fourth position. His performances led to him leading in the world championship general rankings.
Following that, the W2RC headed to Portugal for the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Transibérico. Here, Branch showed consistency as he finished in 5th position. Branch’s consistency continued at the Argentina’s Desafío Ruta 40 where he once again finished 5th, consolidating his lead in world championship rankings ahead of the ultimate showdown at the popular Rallye du Maroc which took place from the 5th to the 11th of October 2024.
With his considerable lead in the rankings, all Branch needed was to cross the finish line, which he duly did, clinching the title.
Speaking to this publication, the local rider said his biggest motivation ‘was to represent his country (Botswana) at the highest level of the sport. “I do not want to let my country, my family, my team, sponsors and all those who have been supporting me and cheering me on down,” he said.
Branch said through his win, he hopes he can inspire the next aspiring riders to ‘believe in themselves and their capabilities, keep the passion burning, and keep going until they reach their goals.’
“If a guy from a small town Jwaneng like me can do it, then so can you, it is not impossible,” he said.
