KHS former learner Ross Branch making his second Dakar a memorable one

People around the world have been glued to their screens since 5 January, keeping their eyes on the Dakar Rally 2020.

Motorcycles, cars, trucks and more have been battling the heat and sand of Saudi Arabia for the past few days. According to the Dakar Rally website, this year’s route explores the vast expanses of the largest country in the Middle East. Drivers and their crews will be facing a total of 7 500km and 75 per cent of the race will be across sand.

One of the racers who is taking on the route this year is Krugersdorp High School’s very own Ross Branch, who these days lives in Botswana. This is not his first Dakar and last year he took home the best rookie prize after finishing 13th overall in the bike category.

Before the start of the first race, Ross told supporters on his Facebook page that he can’t wait to get on the bike and get the first stage of 750km going.

After finishing Stage 1, he told supporters that it was fun although it was a long day. He said that he got to the front pretty quickly and had fun trying to figure out the route.

Stage 2 was an amazing day for him and a groundbreaking one as he finished at the top of the log for Stage 2.

Although the first two days had Ross riding on a high, day three wasn’t as gentle. At the 88th kilometre Ross took a spill, destroying his navigation tower as well as hurting his shoulder. Luckily he could navigate the rest of the stage and once back, he was medically cleared. Unfortunately he finished 55 minutes behind the stage leader.

Starting Stage 4, Ross told supporters that tests showed his shoulder had separated and that he was in pain but still wanted to give Stage 4 a good go. And what a day it was as Ross made an amazing comeback. After starting last he finished Stage 4 in the fourth place.

To keep up to date with Ross, you can follow him on his Facebook page, Ross Branch Dakar 2020 Updates.