Hero MotoSports first Indian team to secure Dakar podium

Hero MotoSports’ Ross Branch has completed the 2024 Dakar Rally in second place overall, 10mins 53secs behind winner Ricky Brabec. With this, Hero MotoSports becomes the first Indian team to score a podium finish at the fabled rally.

1. Branch scores his first-ever Dakar podium
2. Finishes P2, 10mins 53secs behind winner Brabec

Branch 2nd in Dakar 2024

The 2024 edition of the Dakar Rally caught out several prominent names. And after six stages, Hero had three of its four riders retire from the event. With Joaquim Rodrigues, Sebastian Buhler and Joan Barreda Bort out of the running, Branch remained Hero’s sole rider still competing in Dakar 2024.

But Branch quickly established himself as a leading challenger for overall victory. He kicked off the rally with victory in Stage 1 and was in the overall lead till Stage 5. He closely trailed Honda’s Ricky Brabec throughout the rest of the stages and even secured a second stage win after setting the fastest time in Stage 11.

The South African rider finished the final 174km stage around Yanbu in ninth place, enough to hold on to second place overall. Not only is this Branch’s first-ever Dakar podium finish, but it’s also the first Dakar podium for an Indian team.

Harith Noah wins in Rally 2 class

It has been a strong Dakar 2024 for the Indian contingent. Harith Noah finished 11th overall, just six minutes outside the top 10. He ended up taking victory in the Rally 2 class, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat.

The RallyGP class is reserved for experienced competitors only and all riders in this class must be accepted by the FIM Championship Committee in accordance with their sporting experience. The Rally 2 class, on the other hand, is open to all those not registered on the RallyGP riders list.

Also see:

Harith Noah wins Dakar 2024 in Rally 2 class