– Ross in overall top-5
Hero MotoSports Team Rally – the motorsport arm of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, Hero MotoCorp – successfully completed Stage 3 of Rally Raid Portugal 2026.
Ross Branch from Botswana delivered a strong and consistent performance yet again, finishing the stage with the 6th fastest time. With this result, Ross climbs up to 5th place in the general classification, sitting comfortably inside the overall Top-10.
Branch rode with confidence and control through a stage that featured fast sections, intermittent wet patches, and multiple river crossings. The changing terrain demanded constant focus, but he maintained a steady rhythm throughout. Making the most of the bike’s strong performance, Ross handled the conditions well and carried good momentum through the day. With another solid result in the bag, he now looks ahead to the final two stages of the rally.
Stage 3 on Friday saw riders take on a loop around Badajoz, with a 296 km long timed section supported by a 205 km liaison stretch. The route remained largely similar to last year, but still presented its own challenges. It was a fast and demanding stage, with slippery sections, water crossings, and tricky hazards keeping riders alert from start to finish.
The penultimate stage on Saturday will see the rally return to Portugal. It will be the longest day of the event, covering a total of 639 km of which 317 km will be timed. The route will take competitors to Loulé, the historic town that will also host the grand finale of the rally on Sunday.
Ross Branch, Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: « Stage 3 was an enjoyable and rewarding day on the bike. There were some wet sections along the route along with a few significant river crossings, which kept things interesting, but overall it was a really good stage. The bike performed exceptionally well, and I felt comfortable throughout. I’m happy with how the day went and I’m looking forward to the final two stages. Thank you to everyone for the continued support. »
Provisional Rankings – Stage 03
1. Daniel Sanders, Redbull KTM Racing Team, 02h 37m 55s
2. Bruno Santos, BS – Frutas Patricia Pilar, + 00m 59s
3. Tosha Schareina, Monster Energy Honda HRC, + 01m 53s…
6. Ross Branch, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 04m 05s…
Overall Provisional Rankings – After Stage 03
1. Daniel Sanders, Redbull KTM Racing Team, 07h 07m 50s
2. Tosha Schareina, Monster Energy Honda HRC, + 03m 11s
3. Bruno Santos, BS – Frutas Patricia Pilar, + 05m 31s…
5. Ross Branch, Hero MotoSports Team Rally, + 14m 17s…