Brad Cox Achieves World Rally2 Championship Glory in Morocco

Brad Cox, a South African racer representing BAS World KTM Racing, became the World Rally2 Champion by winning the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc. His success caught national attention, particularly from Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, as South Africa prepares to host the W2RC in 2025. Cox’s victory follows a dedication to training and teamwork, bolsting his prospects for upcoming events such as the Dakar Rally.

South African racer Brad Cox, aged 26, has secured the title of World Rally2 Champion following his remarkable performance in the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc, part of the World Rally-Raid Championship, held last weekend. Competing for BAS World KTM Racing, he achieved the distinctive honor by clinching victory in both the rally and the championship itself, thereby overcoming competitor Romain Dumontier from Team Honda while Konrad Dabrowski of Duust Rally finished in third place. Cox’s outstanding accomplishment drew attention from South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, who expressed his congratulations via 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.” The Minister’s remarks pertain to South Africa’s upcoming hosting of the third round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) scheduled for 18 to 24 May 2025, which will showcase a variety of challenging terrains across regions such as Sun City and Thabazimbi. Cox’s victory in Morocco is particularly significant, as it was achieved riding a new 2025 KTM 450 Rally Factory Replica motorcycle, competing as a privateer, unlike factory-supported riders. Additionally, his joy is compounded by the fact that close friend and mentor Ross Branch from Botswana recently won the RallyGP World Championship in the same event. While RallyGP represents the premier class of the MotoSport, only accessible to the most skilled riders, Rally2 serves as a platform for those contestants not categorized at the RallyGP level. Cox’s triumph paves the way for his participation in the upcoming Dakar Rally, where he will advance to compete in the RallyGP class. Reflecting on his victory, Cox mentioned, “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.” He emphasized the collective effort behind his success, saying, “Having the title ‘World Champion’ next to your name is great, and I’m really proud. 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. ” Bart van der Velden, Team Manager of BAS World KTM Racing, also praised Cox’s performance and training dedication, remarking, “It was great to see that all the training and hard work he’s put in over the last few years has paid off… Morocco was a test – the first outing on the new bike – and we’re all so happy it worked out.” Earlier in the season, Cox demonstrated his skill in the challenging Dakar Rally, where he finished 13th overall among bikes, becoming the sole South African to secure a place in the Top 20. Cox’s journey has been supported significantly by a network of sponsors, who have played a crucial role in facilitating his racing aspirations.

The World Rally2 Championship is part of the World Rally-Raid Championship, a prestigious series dedicated to off-road motorcycle racing. Participants in this class are typically racers who have not yet reached the top tier of the sport, RallyGP, which features the most skilled competitors and factory-supported teams. Brad Cox’s victory not only highlights his personal achievements but also sets a precedent for the burgeoning interest in rally racing within South Africa, especially with the forthcoming events scheduled in the region.

In summary, Brad Cox’s recent accomplishment as the World Rally2 Champion marks a significant milestone in his racing career, exemplifying hard work, dedication, and the collective support from his team, family, and sponsors. His win in Morocco not only elevates his status in the rally community but also sets an inspiring tone for future races, including the Dakar Rally.

Original Source: www.knysnaplettherald.com