Ross Branch wins opening bike stage of Dakar Rally 2024

RIYADH, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ross Branch of Botswana won Saturday the Dakar Rally 2024 Saudi Arabia opening bike stage, according to the competition's official website.

He won after being rewarded for stopping to help rider Tosha Schareina after the Spaniard's race-ending crash.

The Hero factory rider got the 25 minutes he had spent helping Schareina deducted from his time, catapulting him into the lead by