Price hits 2019 Dakar Rally lead
The 2016 champion put in a stunning stage eight performance, and now leads by one minute with two stages to goAustralian Toby Price (KTM) leads the Peru-hosted 2019 Dakar Rally for the first time following a drama-filled stage eight on January 15.
Price finished third in the 360km timed stage behind defending champion Matthias Walkner (KTM) and Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna), but the biggest news was the withdrawal of runaway Dakar leader Ricky Brabec (Honda) with a mechanical problem.
Price has now moved to the top of the overall standings, one minute and three seconds (1:03) ahead of Quintanilla with two stages remaining before the event concludes in Lima on January 17.
Dubbed the ‘Super Ica’, stage eight pitted the fastest 10 bikes, 10 cars and the top five trucks from the previous day together, setting off at three-minute intervals according to their stage seven results. At 360km, the timed special was the longest of the event and took competitors over fast, open pistes for the first half, before once again challenging them with the mountainous sand dunes of the Ica desert.
MORE: 2019 Dakar Rally results
Price put in a stunning performance, leading on time right up until the final two checkpoints.
Although he’s now moved to the top of the standings, the Australian knows he still has to keep fighting right to the finish.
“I knew today had to count so I gave it everything – the wrist is really starting to sting now!,” Price said. “It was a long special at 360km but I got through it and I’m pleased with how the whole stage went.
“Just two days left so I’ll get some rest tonight and attack again tomorrow. When the helmet goes on, you know I’m just going to do the best I can.”
Big old day in the saddle! Tomorrow we're in for a 96km Liason and 313km of Racing after another Mass Start, no doubt Stage 9 is going to throw everything at us! pic.twitter.com/FhegtraeaU
— Toby Price (@tobyprice87) January 16, 2019
Walkner is third overall, 6:35 behind Price, followed by Adrien van Beveren (Yamaha, 9:54) and Husqvarna’s Andrew Short (39:27).
Aussie KTM riders Ben Young and James Ferguson are 55th and 70th respectively.
Stage nine marks the second of the two mass starts, with competitors leaving and returning to the coastal town of Pisco – a total of 409km, 313 of which is timed.
RELATED: 2019 Dakar Rally: Price now in third
Stage eight results:
1. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 03:55:25
2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL), Husqvarna, 03:56:10, +00:45
3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 03:56:38, +01:13
4. Sam Sunderland (GBR), KTM, 04:01:46, +06:21
5. Andrew Short (USA), Husqvarna, 04:05:16, +09:51
Provisional standings (after stage eight of 10):
1. Price, 28:53:08
2. Quintanilla, +01:03
3. Walkner, +06:35
4. Sunderland, +06:38
5. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, +09:54
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