The South African Safari Rally 2025 has kicked off, with Hero MotoSports Team Rally making a strong start. The team’s three riders, Ross Branch, Nacho Cornejo, and Tobias Ebster, have all secured top 10 positions after the first stage. Ross Branch, a local Botswanan rider, led the charge, crossing the finish line with the fastest time overall and claiming his first stage win of the season. His teammates, Nacho Cornejo and Tobias Ebster, finished 6th and 9th overall, respectively.
Tobias Ebster, the team’s newest recruit, also had a notable performance, finishing 2nd in the Rally 2 class, just under a minute behind the leader. At the end of Stage 1, all three Hero riders are in the top 10 overall standings, with Ross leading, Nacho at 7th, and Tobias at 9th. Tobias also holds 2nd position in the overall Rally 2 standings.
The first stage was a 555 km loop around Sun City, with 260 km of special stage. The riders faced a mix of terrain, including sandy tracks, savannah stretches, and hard-packed surfaces, with unpredictable grip levels and deep muddy sections due to recent heavy rains. The stage was a test of pure performance and consistency, with no time bonuses awarded.
Looking ahead, Stages 2 and 3 have been combined into a two-day marathon stage, with riders facing 620 km of terrain, including 352 km of timed special, without any overnight assistance from their support crews. The route will take competitors into the vast savannah, featuring long, fast tracks and off-piste sections that will test navigation and strategy. Riders will have to rely on their road books and instincts to stay on track and gain valuable time.
The Hero MotoSports team is looking strong, with all three riders showing promising performances. Ross Branch’s stage win and Tobias Ebster’s impressive debut are notable highlights, while Nacho Cornejo’s consistency and reliability have earned him a solid position in the standings. The team will look to build on their momentum as they head into the challenging marathon stage, where strategy and navigation will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.