Catching up with Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Official Team's Ross Branch

The 33-year-old has also shown great speed during his FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship outings and is aiming for further improvement in 2020. 

“I’m really lucky, proud and privileged to be a part of such a fantastic team. It’s a factory outfit at the top level, one of the best you can belong to. I’m proud to get this opportunity and I’m really looking forward to the 2020 season, flying the flag high and doing the best I can for the team.

“Everything is new for me this year – new team, bike, team-mates, and I’m just really excited. The team has got a good family feel to it. Everyone is really happy and I’m looking forward to making new friendships and doing the best we possibly can to hopefully get a couple of good results this year.”

Entering his third year of rally racing, Branch is learning quickly, taking a strong eighth at the Rally du Maroc last year and aims to consistently challenge for top 10 finishes.

“It’ll be the third year of my rally racing career. I’ve learnt a lot in the past and I’m looking forward to learning even more. I want to stay in the top 10 throughout the season if I can. In rally racing anything can happen, but my goal is to be right up there and go to Dakar fit and healthy. 

“I’m looking forward to 2020 because I’ve got so much to improve on. I’ve only been in the rally scene for a few years so there’s a lot to learn. The opportunity I’ve been given with the new bike and everything makes me excited to advance on everything I have done and move up the ladder.”