Ryan Branford raced to a second straight third place overall at Finke on Monday. Image: Adam Riemann.

Alice Springs local Ryan Branford has credited his switch successful to Husaberg a success in this year’s 36th running of the Finke Desert Race, sealing third overall on Monday.

Branford, 24, made his debut aboard the powerful Husaberg FE 570 in the event that sees competitors race over 450 kilometres from Alice Springs to Finke and back.

Branford’s race time was 4:06.59sec, trailing eventual winner Ben Grabham by just eight minutes overall, which was enough to take victory in the 451cc and Above four-stroke category for 2011.

“It was a great race and we had a good outcome racing against professional riders such as Grabbo,” Branford commented. “I switched to the Husaberg this year and it was awesome. The bike was really fast, held together for the duration of the race and I really couldn’t be much happier.

“The top speed is all-important in the desert and the FE 570 handled to match, so I couldn’t ask for too much more from the bike. We’ve been putting in a lot of preparation for this year’s event, at least six months worth to give us the best chances of success. It all paid dividends over the weekend.”

Hometown hero Branford has been a consistent contender for victory at the Finke Desert Race in recent years, scoring the win in 2006 and also finishing third Outright last year.

Branford, who is supported by Race Motorcycles Husaberg, Asbuild and Ingkerreke, will now focus on the upcoming KTM Hattah Desert Race, which is scheduled for Victoria on 2-3 July.

Husaberg also finished third in the 451cc and Above four-stroke category with Victorian entrant Mark Sladek. Riders aboard the FE 570 filled six of the top 10 positions in the big-bore class of the event.

Victory was also enjoyed by another Victorian in Joel Stafford, who rode his Valley Force Husaberg FE 570 to the win in the Masters 35 to 39 years category.