Dakar 2025: Ross Branch Grabs Podium in Stage 1 for Hero MotoSports; Carlos Sainz Sr. Flips his Ford

Hero MotoSports Team kicked off the 2025 Dakar Rally with an impressive performance in Stage 1, blending speed and strategy to take on one of the world’s toughest motorsport challenges. Reigning World Rally-Raid Champion Ross Branch and teammate Jose 'Nacho' Cornejo both achieved top-10 finishes, navigating over 600km of gruelling desert terrain, treacherous dunes, and rocky paths. Their strong start underscores Hero MotoSports' potential in this iconic rally.

Stage 1 of the Rally GP class, known for its reverse starting order, added a layer of strategy to the competition. Red Bull KTM’s Daniel Sanders started from the 20th position, while Ross Branch quickly showcased his skill by clocking the fastest time at the 48 km checkpoint, leading Sanders by 22 seconds. However, Sanders regained control by the 95 km mark, extending his lead to 32 seconds. Meanwhile, Monster Energy Honda’s Ricky Brabec joined Sanders to break away from the pack at the 205 km checkpoint, leaving Branch 2 minutes and 28 seconds behind.

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Despite the gap, Branch maintained a top-three position with impressive consistency. By the 609 km checkpoint, Branch was 3 minutes and 55 seconds behind Sanders on raw time. However, his calculated early pace and bonus time earned in the opening sections proved decisive. This strategic edge brought Branch within just 2 seconds of Brabec in the virtual standings, highlighting his resilience and expert navigation. Hero MotoSports’ promising start in the 2025 Dakar Rally sets the stage for an exciting competition ahead.

Ross Branch, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: "Stage 1 is done, the rally looks challenging at the start itself and hence, I'm bracing myself for a long and intense Dakar. I had a blast today, despite making a couple of silly mistakes early on. Luckily, they didn't cost me too much. I'm just glad to have made it through in one piece, and I'm relieved to hear that my teammate Basti is okay after his crash. Tomorrow's stage is going to be a long one, so I'll be focusing on preserving my bike and pacing myself. Overall, I really enjoyed today's stage – looking forward to the next one!"

Dakar 2025: Carlos Sainz Sr. Faces Problem

Rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr. experienced a dramatic setback during the second stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. While navigating the tough 327km route, the veteran rally driver suffered a significant rollover in his Ford M-Sport Raptor, raising concerns about both vehicle damage and his safety.

The rollover incident briefly interrupted Sainz Sr.'s progress in the race, leaving fans worried about the extent of the damage to his car and the well-being of the driver and his co-driver, Lucas Cruz. Despite the harrowing moment, both emerged unscathed from the crash.

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After sustaining heavy damage to their vehicle, Sainz Sr. and Cruz still completed the stage. As of now, Carlos Sainz Sr. and Lucas Cruz are in 20th place in the Ultimate car category of the 2025 Dakar Rally. The race is currently being led by Toyota’s Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk, who are dominating the leaderboard and have had a strong performance throughout the event.