2019 Dakar Rally kicks off in Peru
Aussie hope Toby Price was sixth in the short opening stage, although his recently broken wrist is giving him some concerns.Toby Price (KTM) has completed the opening stage of the 2019 Dakar Rally in sixth position, but has already forecast the balance of the event “is going to be tough” as he nurses his recently broken right wrist.
It took the 2016 Dakar winner and reigning FIM Cross-Country rallies champion just under 61 minutes to punch out the 84km special test, as the riders left the Peruvian capital of Lima and finished the day in the city of Pisco. The total length of the stage was 332km.
Honda factory rider Joan Barreda leads the rally, one minute and 34 seconds (+1:34) ahead of Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna), followed by Ricky Brabec (Honda, +2:52), Adrien van Beveren (Yamaha, +2:55), 2017 winner Sam Sunderland (KTM, +2:56) and Price (+3:08).
Defending champion Matthias Walkner (KTM, +3:12) sits in seventh.
“The first day has gone well,” said Price.
“My wrist is giving me some pain so I know the next nine days are going to be tough. But I can’t complain; I’m happy with sixth place today.
“Conditions out there were okay; you just have to be careful in the dunes that you don’t send it off one of the big drops – I can’t afford to risk anything like that so I need to be a little careful.
“The bike is running sweet, so thanks to Joe my mechanic for that. It’s going to be a long one tomorrow but I’ll give it my best.”
Rodney Faggotter (Yamaha) is the best of the remaining Australians, in 29th, while KTM riders Ben Young and James Ferguson are 87th and 119th.
Stage two will see competitors travel from Pisco to San Juan de Marcona. Total distance is 553km, and the timed component is over 342km.
The 2019 Dakar Rally will be held exclusively in Peru, and concludes on January 17 in Lima.
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