Singleton rider Toby Price will enter the final stage of the Dakar Rally as the outright leader after finishing fifth in this morning’s ninth stage.
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Price, who grew up in Singleton, became the first Australian winner of the world famous motorbike race in 2016 and currently leads this year’s general classification with a time of 32:43’15”.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Pablo Quintanilla is within striking distance on second place (01’02” behind Price) while reigning champion Matthias Walkner remains third (06’35”).
Frenchman Michael Metge (ranked 22nd overall) took out this morning’s stage victory with a time of 03:46’38” before he was joined on the podium by Bolivian Daniel Nosiglia Jager 02’00” and Quintanilla 03’28”.
Though Price would be denied a podium finish by a single second, he now has his eyes on a much bigger prize.
“I got through stage nine today where we had the mass-start and there was no chance to make up any time or lose time really; I just had to stick with the group,” Price told his social media followers this morning.
“Tomorrow is only a 100-kilometre stage but I think it’s going to feel more like 300.”
“The boys are really going to up their pace and all I can do is try my best once more and try to stay with them.”
Price has taken the misfortune of his opponents to his advantage in recent days.
The 31-year-old worked his way to third place ahead of the eighth stage behind Ricky Brabec (USA) by Frenchman Adrien van Beveren .
Both have abandoned the races due to engine failures since while 2017 champion Sam Sunderland was penalised an hour at the start (slipping from fourth to 12th overall).
“If I can get through tomorrow and finish on the podium, I’ll be more than happy,” Price added.
Leaderboard:
Toby Price (Australia – Red Bull KTM Factory Team) 32:43’15”.
Pablo Quintanilla (Chile – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) +01’02”.
Matthias Walkner (Austria – Red Bull KTM Factory Team) +06’35”.
Andrew Short (USA – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) +40’01”.
Xavier De Soultrait (France – Yamalube Yamaha) +47’44”.
Price’s results so far:
STAGE ONE – Finished sixth with a time of 01:00’44” over 331km.
STAGE TWO – Finished fourth with a time of 03:27’03” over 553km.
STAGE THREE – Finished ninth with a time of 04:07’42” over 798km.
STAGE FOUR – Finished third with a time of 03:47’37” over 511km.
STAGE FIVE – Finished ninth with a time of 04:17’33” over 776km.
STAGE SIX – Finished fourth with a time of 03:55’45” over 838km.
STAGE SEVEN – Finished eighth with a time of 04:06’00” over 387km.
STAGE EIGHT – Finished third with a time of 03:56’38” over 575km.
STAGE NINE – Finished fifth with a time of 03:50’07” over 409km.