Stage 1 winner and Rally GP class contender Ross Branch opened the 2nd stage on
Sunday, and showcased a solid performance to cross the finish line in the 9th place.
Opening the stage today was indeed an arduous task, and it cost him ~7 minutes as
compared to the winner of Stage 2. However, the Botswanan has managed to maintain
his overall lead in the rally, and continues at the top position.
Sebastian Buhler brought his Hero 450 Rally home in the 8th fastest time of the day, and
maintained his 10th position in the overall Rally GP class rankings of the rally.
Stage 2 was yet another grueling special – a 396 km loop around the desert bivouac in Zagora. Set around the dunes of M’Hamid, the stage started with a long array of very rough rocks, before entering the sand sections. Fast and dangerous tracks through wadis and small ergs kept the competitors on their toes until the finish line.
Even though dangerous at many spots, the stage was enjoyable for both the Hero Moto- Sports riders. Leading the rankings table for another consecutive day has brought great encouragement and hope in the Hero camp. As the sun sets in Zagora, the team looks forward to another day of flying the Hero flag high, and a possible victory towards the end of the week.
The rally caravan will now continue their exploration of the Moroccan dry lands over a 444 km loop setting out eastward from the bivouac in Zagora. As has been the case from the start – navigation is expected to be challenging in Stage 3.
Ross Branch:
“Stage 2 is over and done with! It was a really good stage – I led out opening the stage in the morning, and ran alone until the refueling point – quite confident and comfortable. After that my fellow competitor Pablo Quintanilla caught up with me, and we raced each other until the end. It was a pretty straightforward stage, with no big surprises. I’m happy with how today turned out, and look forward to the next stage.”
Sebastian Buhler:
“Was quite long stage and hard as well. It had a little bit of everything – dunes, sand and fast tracks. We also had a long fast riverbed which was quite dangerous. However, I was able to manage a good rhythm on my trustworthy Hero, and I’m happy with my result.”
Provisional Rankings – Stage 2 (Rally GP Class)
- Tosha Schareina Honda Team 3h 02m 15s
- Toby Price Red Bull KTM Factory Racing + 1m 00s
- Ignacio Cornejo Monster Energy Honda Team + 2m 21s
- Sebastian Buhler Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 7m 18s
- Ross Branch Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 7m 18s
Provisional Overall Standings after Stage 2 (Rally GP Class)
- Ross Branch Hero MotoSports Team Rally 7h 18m 15s
- Toby Price Red Bull KTM Factory Racing + 1m 04s
- Pablo Quintanilla Monster Energy Honda Team + 2m 21s
- Sebastian Buhler Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 31m 23s