2025 Dakar Rally Stage 2B: Ross Branch finishes 5th in the gruelling 48-hour Chrono, maintains 3rd overall

The second day of the 2025 Dakar Rally’s 48-hour chrono stage has come to an end, pushing competitors to their limits as they raced through another 338km of challenging terrain. Hero MotoSports Team Rally’s star rider and last year’s W2RC champion, Ross Branch, maintained his momentum from Day 1 and finished the stage in 5th place, keeping him in 3rd overall in the standings, now 4 seconds off the second-place rider. His teammate, Nacho Cornejo, completed the stage in 12th, maintaining his 9th overall position.

Day 2 of Stage 2 saw Ross Branch continue his fight against the rally leaders. Branch, who camped overnight at Break Point E after covering 609km on Day 1, resumed his attack on the special early this morning. Starting strong, he stayed within striking distance of the front-runners throughout the stage but minor setbacks in some technical sections meant he finished in 5th. “I’m just relieved to be back in one piece, with my bike in perfect condition and ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenge!” Branch commented after the stage. His calculated approach means he maintained his overall 3rd place in the rally, just 4 seconds behind second-place Ricky Brabec of Monster Energy Honda.

Jose Ignacio Cornejo, who started the day in 11th place, rode steadily and avoided mistakes to finish 12th on the second day, still maintaining his 9th overall position. “It was a tough and long one with a lot of dust. The bike is performing really well, with just a few minor issues yesterday and today. But overall, it was smooth. This is just the beginning and we still have a lot of race left. Looking forward to the next stage!” Cornejo said after completing the second leg of the chrono stage.

With the conclusion of the gruelling 48-hour chrono, the rally now shifts gears as competitors prepare for Stage 3, a 496km special that takes the race north to Al Henakiah. Known for its mix of technical sections and high-speed stretches, this stage will be a critical test for riders as they continue to navigate the world’s toughest rally. The battle for the top spots remains intense, with Ross Branch in close contention for the podium.