Ross Branch (motorcyclist) explained

Ross Branch
Birth Name:Ross Branch
Nickname:Kalahari Ferrari[1]
Nationality:Botswana
Birth Date:6 May 1986
Birth Place:Johannesburg, South Africa
Height:1.74 m
Weight:79 kg
Sport:Off-Road Motorcycle Racing
Team:Hero Motorsports Rally Team
Worlds:
  • 2019 2nd place Merzouga Rally, Morocco
  • Winner Rookie category at 2019 Dakar Rally, Peru
  • Winner of the Torgau 24-hour Endurance race 2005 (Germany)
  • Winner of the Southern Pokal Championship in 2003 (Germany)
  • 2nd place Russian Race Series in 2003 (Russia)
  • Scored world championship points in 4 MX GP’s
Regionals:
  • South African Overall and OR1 Cross Country champion in 2018
  • South African Overall and OR1 Cross Country champion in 2017
  • South African Overall and OR1 Cross Country champion in 2016
  • Winner of the Botswana 1000 Desert Race in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
  • Red Bull Braveman Extreme Enduro Finisher 2016
  • Roof of Africa Gold Finisher 2011
Nationals:
  • Winner of the Khawa Dune Challenge in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017 (Botswana)
  • Awarded South African colours for Motocross in 2004

Ross Branch (born 6 May 1986) is a motorcycle racer from Botswana.[2] He lives in Gaborone, Botswana and rode for the KTM Off-Road Racing Team until October 2018. He now races for the Hero MotorSports International Rally team. Branch is the first Dakar stage winner from Botswana, after taking the stage 2 victory at the Dakar Rally 2020.[3] [4] Ross Branch also made history for his country and continent, becoming the first Botswana to podium at the Dakar, as well as first African to podium in the Rally GP class, coming 2nd place overall in the 2024 Dakar Rally Motorcycles.[5]

Early life

Branch was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and his parents brought him to Jwaneng three days after he was born.[6] [7] Branch's parents are Kevin Branch a former Debswana employee and Glenda Branch. Branch attended Krugersdorp High School in Gauteng.[8] Branch's love for speed and adrenaline started when he first witnessed the final stage of the 1992 Dakar Rally in Cape Town at just five years old. He started riding motorbikes at the age of ten. At 18 years old he was invited to ride on the South African colours for Motocross, giving him a taste of professional freestyle.

Career

2024: 2nd Dakar Rally, (Winner of Stage 1 and Stage 11)

2020: 21st Dakar Rally, (Winner of Stage 2)

2019: 13th Dakar Rally (Best Rookie) / 2nd Merzouga Rally / 9th Morocco Rally

2018: 1st, South African OR1 Cross Country Championship / 1st, Botswana 1000 Desert Race

2017: 1st, South African OR1 Cross Country Championship / 1st, Botswana 1000 Desert Race / 1st, Khawa Dune Challenge

2016: 1st, South African OR1 Cross Country Championship / 1st, Botswana 1000 Desert Race / 1st,  African Motorcycle Union Continental Motocross Championship / Finisher, Red Bull Braveman Extreme Enduro

2015: 1st, Botswana 1000 Desert Race / 1st, Khawa Dune Challenge

2014: 1st, Botswana 1000 Desert Race / 1st, Khawa Dune Challenge

2013: 1st, Khawa Dune Challenge

2012: 1st, Botswana 1000 Desert Race

2011: Gold finisher, Roof of Africa / 1st, Botswana 1000 Desert Race / 1st, African Motorcycle Union Continental Motocross Championship

Dakar Rally

YearClassVehiclePositionStages won
2019Motorbike KTM13th0
202021st1
2021 YamahaDNF0
2022DNF0
2023 Hero26th2
20242nd2

Sponsorships

Personal life

Ross Branch has been together with Aimee Crewe-Brown since he was 20 years old and they married in 2017.[12] They have three Jack Russells.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BOTSWANA'S 'KALAHARI FERRARI' BIKER, ROSS BRANCH, SCORED A HAT-TRICK OF DESERT WINS – Rallystar. 2021-01-14. en-US.
  2. News: Ross Branch readies for Dakar Rally. Daily News Botswana. https://web.archive.org/web/20210120225332/http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/news-details.php?nid=45771&flag=. dead. 20 January 2021.
  3. Web site: Profile of ROSS BRANCH - MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RALLY TEAM - Dakar. 2021-01-14. www.dakar.com. en.
  4. Web site: Ross Branch Continues Positive 2021 Dakar Rally Campaign - automobilsport.com. 2021-01-14. www.automobilsport.com.
  5. Web site: Profile of ROSS BRANCH - HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY - Dakar . 2024-01-19 . www.dakar.com . en.
  6. Web site: Mmegi Online :: Rider, ross branch wants Botswana citizenship. 2021-01-14. Mmegi Online.
  7. Web site: Reporter. Sunday Standard. Ross branches off hurdles to ride to glory Sunday Standard. 2021-01-14. en-GB.
  8. Web site: 2020-01-18. KHS former learner Ross Branch making his second Dakar a memorable one. 2021-01-14. Krugersdorp News. en-US.
  9. Web site: Ross Branch - Monster Energy Yamaha Rally. 2021-01-14. www.yamaha-racing.com.
  10. Web site: 2020-03-13. Andrew Short and Ross Branch confirmed by Yamaha Rally Official Team - Motorcycle Sports. 2021-01-14. motorcyclesports.net. en-US.
  11. Web site: Release. Press. 2020-03-16. Monster Energy Yamaha Rally team sign Dakar stars. 2021-01-14. Dirtbike Rider. en-US.
  12. Web site: DUBE. MQONDISI. Mmegi Online :: From the Delta skies to conquering Dakar. 2021-01-14. Mmegi Online.
  13. Freiberg. Kate. Homel. Ross. Branch. Sara. 2014. Parent Empowerment and Efficacy Measure. 2021-01-14. PsycTESTS Dataset. 10.1037/t61386-000.

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