Hero MotoSports Team Rally completes stage five of the Dakar Rally with Nacho Cornejo and Ross Branch completing the top ten. The 428km stage includes timed special stages, high-speed sections and sandy terrain that requires careful navigation. Stony sections test the rider’s skills and endurance, adding to the complexity of the stage. After two grueling marathon stages, the team will take a break during the rally in Hail on January 10 to allow the riders to recover and prepare for the next challenge.
Ross Branch was third overall and Cornejo was ninth. Cornejo finished third in this stage, less than two minutes behind the winner. Branch recovered from a navigation error the day before to finish fourth, closing the gap on leader Daniel Saunders. Both drivers showed strong strategy and resilience throughout the stage.
Also read: Dakar 2025: Hero MotoSport Ross division retains third place after 48 Hours of Chrono; Sainz withdraws from rally
Stage 6 of the Dakar Rally will begin on January 11 and will be a 605-kilometer timed special race.
Dakar 2025: What are the riders saying?
Nacho Cornejo said: “We’ve reached the rest day and we had some really good stages in the marathon and I’m happy to finish third in today’s stage. We’re full of confidence in the bike, Even though I don’t want to finish ninth in the overall standings, I’m motivated to make up for it in the second week and we’ll give it our all, day by day, until the last kilometer. I want to thank everyone for their great support. Thank you to my team for their tireless efforts.”
Ross Branch, rider said: “We have arrived at the Hail campsite, marking the end of the marathon stage. It was a good day, unlike yesterday when I made a navigation error at the end of the stage that cost us a lot of time, and got a speeding penalty midway through the stage. We are united, the team is happy and the spirits are high and we are more determined than ever to make our mark. We are more motivated than ever heading into week two!
Dakar 2025: The next phase
As the rally heads south to Al Duwadimi, Stage 6 will up the ante for competitors, becoming one of the longest stages in this year’s Dakar, with 605 kilometers of timed special stages.
Also read: Land Rover Defender to compete in Dakar Rally in 2026
After the transfer, riders will face a faster section before moving on to a more challenging section. Here they need to traverse difficult sandy terrain including dunes, hills and rugged trails.
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