Brad Cox Achieves Historic World Rally2 Championship Victory in Morocco

Brad Cox, a 26-year-old South African racer, has been declared the World Rally2 Champion, winning the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc and surpassing competitor Romain Dumontier. His victory was acknowledged by Minister Gayton McKenzie, as South Africa prepares to host an upcoming round of the World Rally-Raid Championship in 2025. Brad’s triumph, achieved as a privateer on his new bike, sets the stage for his participation in the next Dakar Rally.

South African racer Brad Cox, at the age of 26, has emerged victorious as the World Rally2 Champion after clinching the title during the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc, part of the World Rally-Raid Championship held last weekend. Competing for BAS World KTM Racing, Mr. Cox not only secured the championship but also triumphed in the rally itself, surpassing rival Romain Dumontier of Team Honda, while Konrad Dabrowski from Duust Rally finished in third place. This remarkable achievement garnered recognition from Gayton McKenzie, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa, who expressed his congratulations on social media, stating, “26-year-old South African Bradley Cox has won the World Rally 2 Rally Raid Championship for 2024. This is really fitting because next year we are hosting the big one, W2RC, in SA.” Mr. McKenzie was alluding to South Africa’s upcoming hosting of the third round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), scheduled for May 18 to 24, 2025, across the North West and Limpopo regions. This anticipated event is expected to navigate a variety of terrains, including bushveld plateaus, river crossings, and savannah plains, particularly in the vicinity of Sun City, Thabazimbi, and the agricultural center of North West. The excitement surrounding the event has intensified following Mr. Cox’s phenomenal performance, achieved on his new 2025 KTM 450 Rally Factory Replica as a privateer competitor. The achievement is further highlighted by the victory of his mentor and friend, Ross Branch of Botswana, who won the RallyGP World Championship concurrently in Morocco. RallyGP represents the pinnacle of the motorcycle racing classification, open only to highly experienced riders, while the Rally2 category allows participation from riders not yet considered for RallyGP. Following this latest victory, Mr. Cox is set to compete in the upcoming Dakar Rally within the RallyGP category. In a post-event statement reflecting on his journey, Mr. Cox shared, “Coming in I was down eight points and while there was a chance to be champion, really the week had to fall perfectly for me and it did. From the start, I had my goal set and put my head down, knowing that for the next five days I would do whatever it takes to win – and that’s what happened! Every day I got better and better. Having the title ‘World Champion’ next to your name is great, and I’m really proud. Proud of the effort it took and the sacrifices to get to this point. It’s not just me, it’s my team, my family, my sponsors… it’s a massive group effort and to have it payoff is amazing. Now we get ready for Dakar. This is a building block and has given me the confidence, and hopefully, Dakar can go as well as this week has!” Bart van der Velden, the BAS World KTM Racing Team Manager, also commented on Mr. Cox’s impressive season, noting, “It was great to see that all the training and hard work he’s put in over the last few years has paid off. In the past year-and-a-half, Brad has taken big steps in his navigation and his training. It’s been a lot of effort so everyone in the team is really happy for him. I’m confident in the upcoming Dakar. Morocco was a test – the first outing on the new bike – and we’re all so happy it worked out.” Earlier in the year, Mr. Cox participated in the Dakar Rally, which has garnered a reputation for being extraordinarily arduous, where he completed an impressive 13th overall in the Bike Category and was the sole South African to place in the Top 20. His participation in these formidable competitions has been made possible through generous sponsorship from various organizations committed to supporting his racing aspirations, including Toyota Gazoo Racing, BAS World KTM Racing Team, and many others.

The World Rally2 Championship is part of the broader motorsport discipline known as rally raid, which combines endurance racing and off-road navigation skills. The championship is especially significant within the motorcycle racing community, providing a platform for emerging talents like Brad Cox to showcase their skills against established competitors. With South Africa preparing to host the next round of the World Rally-Raid Championship in 2025, Mr. Cox’s recent championship victory underscores the growing prominence of South African racers in the global motorsport landscape.

In conclusion, Brad Cox’s crowning as the World Rally2 Champion represents a significant milestone in his racing career and underscores the efforts of his supportive team, family, and sponsors. This victory not only elevates his status in the sport but also establishes a positive outlook for the Dakar Rally, as well as the forthcoming World Rally-Raid Championship event in South Africa. The support from the Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, and the anticipation surrounding the upcoming events further emphasize the importance of this achievement for South African motorsport.

Original Source: www.knysnaplettherald.com

About Allegra Nguyen

Allegra Nguyen is an accomplished journalist with over a decade of experience reporting for leading news outlets. She began her career covering local politics and quickly expanded her expertise to international affairs. Allegra has a keen eye for investigative reporting and has received numerous accolades for her dedication to uncovering the truth. With a master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University, she blends rigorous research with compelling storytelling to engage her audience.

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