Ross Branch of Botswana was handsomely rewarded for stopping to help a stricken rider by emerging as the winner of the opening stage of the Dakar Rally on Saturday.
Branch was leading when he jumped off his bike to help rival Tosha Schareina after the Spaniard’s race-ending crash. The 37-year-old, in his sixth Dakar, eventually remounted to cross the line only 16th.
But the Hero factory rider got the 25 minutes he had spent helping Schareina deducted from his time, catapulting him into the early race lead by almost a dozen minutes from Ricky Brabec. You know, racing isn’t everything, so when you see one of the competitors lying on the floor, it’s the best thing to stop and wait with them and make sure that they’re OK,” said Branch.
He described Schareina as “a really good guy”, adding “you never like to see your friends like that”. “So it’s no problem for me. We had to stop and help, and that’s what we’re there for. If it was me that was lying on the ground, I’m sure he would stop and help me.
Source: eNCA
In other news – Shaun Stylist is in serious Trouble
Shaun Stylist, who is Shauwn Mkhize’s personal stylist and whom she considers as her own son, faces arrest after breaking the law.
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