The Hero MotoSports Team kicked off the 2025 Dakar Rally with an impressive performance in the first stage, blending speed and strategy to tackle one of the world’s toughest motorsport challenges. Reigning World Rallycross Champion Ross Branch and teammate Jose ‘Nacho’ Cornejo both scored top-10 finishes over more than 600 kilometers of grueling desert Driving on terrain, treacherous sand dunes and rocky trails. Their strong start highlights the potential of Hero MotoSports in this iconic rally.
The first stage of the GP Rally is famous for its reverse grid order, which adds a layer of strategy to the race. Red Bull KTM Racing’s Daniel Saunders started in 20th place, but Ross Branch soon showed his skills, setting the fastest time at the 48km checkpoint, 22 seconds ahead of Saunders. However, Sanders regained control at kilometer 95, extending his lead to 32 seconds. Monster Energy Honda’s Ricky Brabec, meanwhile, broke into the lead with Saunders at the 205km checkpoint, 2 minutes and 28 seconds behind Branch.
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Despite the gap, Branch maintained his place in the top three with impressive consistency. By the 609km checkpoint, Branch was 3 minutes and 55 seconds behind Sanders in raw time. However, the early pace he calculated and the extra time he gained in the opening section proved decisive. This strategic advantage puts Branch just 2 seconds behind Brabec in the virtual standings, underscoring his resilience and expert navigation. Hero MotoSports’ strong start to the 2025 Dakar Rally sets the stage for the exciting races ahead.
Hero MotoSports Team rally driver Ross Branch Branch): “The first stage is over and the rally started with a lot of challenges, so I’m getting ready for a long and intense Dakar. I had a lot of fun today, despite doing a few things that luckily… Mistakes didn’t cost me much, I was just happy to I’m also relieved to have successfully completed the task and to hear that my teammate Basti is safe after tomorrow’s accident. This stage is going to be long, so I’ll focus on protecting my bike and pacing myself. , overall, I really enjoyed today’s stage – looking forward to the next stage! ”
Dakar 2025: Carlos Sainz Sr. faces problems
Rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr. suffered a dramatic setback on stage two of the 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. The veteran rally driver’s Ford M-Sport Raptor suffered a serious rollover while driving the difficult 327-kilometre route, raising concerns about vehicle damage and safety.
The rollover incident briefly interrupted the elder Sainz’s progress and left fans worried about the extent of damage to his car and the health of driver and co-driver Lucas Cruz. Despite the harrowing moment, both men emerged unscathed from the incident.
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Sainz Sr. and Cruz still completed the stage after suffering severe damage to their vehicles. As of now, Carlos Sainz Sr. and Lucas Cruz are ranked 20th in the 2025 Dakar Rally Ultimate Class. The race is currently led by Toyota’s Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk, who dominate the leaderboard and perform strongly throughout the event.
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