Hero MotoSports Team Rally has concluded the first special stage at the South African Safari Rally 2025 – the third round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2025.
In the opening stage of the rally, the local Botswanan Hero, Ross Branch led the charge for the team by crossing the finish line with the fastest time overall, bringing his first stage win this season. His teammates Nacho Cornejo and Tobias Ebster, the team’s newest recruit, also delivered solid rides by finishing 6th and 9th overall, respectively.
Meanwhile, competing in the Rally 2 class, Tobias made a strong mark by claiming 2nd position in the category in the stage — finishing less than a minute behind the leader — showcasing both speed and consistency.
Hero in the top 10
At the close of Stage 1, all three Hero riders sit comfortably in the overall top-10 rankings: Ross leading the board, Nacho at 7th, and Tobias at 9th. Tobias also holds 2nd position in the overall Rally 2 standings.
Racing on home soil and building on his top-10 finish in the Prologue stage, the “Kalahari Ferrari” started second into the day’s special stage. He quickly set the pace, took over the lead midway, and was the first rider to cross the finish line. His teammate and Chilean rally star Nacho Cornejo had a flying start to the day.
He was the fastest rider while crossing the 18 km checkpoint, showing blistering pace early on. Though he slipped down the order later in the stage, Nacho’s solid and reliable riding still earned him a commendable finish — proving once again why he’s such a dependable force for the team.
Tobias Ebster, the latest addition to the Hero MotoSports squad, continued to impress. The young Austrian talent is looking increasingly confident with his new machine. His performance underscored his potential and adaptability as he settles into life under the Hero tent.
The first stage was a loop around Sun City, stretching across a total of 555 km, including 260 km special. Unlike previous rounds, no time bonuses were planned for the motorcycle opener today, placing greater emphasis on pure performance and consistency.
The riders faced a fascinating mix of terrain with sandy tracks, typical savannah stretches, the region’s characteristic “black turf,” and dominant hard-packed surfaces. This diverse blend of soil textures challenged them with its unpredictable grip levels. There were a lot of deep muddy sections owing to heavy rains in the recent week.
Looking ahead, Stages 2 and 3 have been combined into a two-day marathon stage, with tomorrow marking the first leg. Riders will tackle a total of 620 km tomorrow, including 352 km of timed special, without any overnight assistance from their support crews. They will camp in a remote bivouac, fully self-reliant until the end of Stage 3.
The route will lead competitors into the vast savannah, featuring long, fast tracks and scattered off-piste sections that will test both navigation and strategy. With wide open terrain and limited reference points, riders must rely entirely on their road books and instincts to stay on track and gain valuable time.
