Price third in 2015 Dakar Rally

A significant moment for the New South Welshman, who becomes the first Australian to finish top three in the iconic off-road classic

Toby Price has completed a stunning a Dakar Rally debut, finishing third on his KTM as the marathon event concluded in Buenos Aires.

After 13 stages, Price finished just over 23 minutes behind the winner, Spain's Marc Coma (KTM), with Portugal's Paolo Goncalves (Honda) in second position.

Price, a four-time winner of the Finke Desert Race, said at the beginning of the rally that navigation would be difficult. He did have some difficulties in stages 4-6 but by the time he started in the final stage he had eight top five finishes and including a win in Stage 12. Price by then had moved up to third overall and was able to make it stick until the race was declared over.

He's now the first Australian to finish top three in the Dakar Rally and, based on the extraordinary result, is likely to return in 2016 not only as a KTM rider, but also a member of the marque's factory squad.

"Well, what a ride that was! One of the toughest and badass races I've ever done," said Price. "Just getting to the finish line is a win for everybody but I somehow managed third overall and a spot on the podium with these two legends. I'm lost for words but once again, thank you to everyone for the support worldwide and most of all Australia. I'm glad I could get this one for myself and Australia. A huge congratulations to Marc Coma on his fifth Dakar Rally win. You are a true legend and badass my friend!"

Price's Aussie team manager Ben Grabham, himself a two-time Dakar competitor, has praised his charge's fairytale debut in the world's biggest off-road event.

"I knew that barring anything crazy overnight he was going to be standing on that podium today, so as soon as I woke up this morning I rang to congratulate him. Because I've done Dakar I know what an amazing ride he's had to be able to do that straight up," said Grabham. "I never doubted for a minute that he could beat all those guys speed-wise, but I haven't seen too many people go and show that kind of consistency and keep themselves out of trouble like he did.

"He's got two guys ahead of him with a lot of experience, but by gee he beat a lot of other guys that have wads of experience compared to him. He proved he can use his brain and think a lot on the bike as well."

Meanwhile, Coma won his fifth Dakar Rally – equalling his former KTM teammate Cyril Despres -- and made it 14 on the trot for KTM. He said: "I’m happy and proud. As usual it was a gruelling rally. We had to overcome a problem on the second day that slowed us down a bit in the rankings. So from then on we had to change the strategy a little and push to recover that time.

"We knew that the marathons would be key stages and they were. I am happy with the team and the people we have around us. This fifth win says a lot about all of us.”

Goncalves' teammate Joan Barreda was also fast throughout the rally, but his chance for a victory on the HRC Honda evaporated when he was struck some down by mechanical problems – like so many others -- on the wet salt flats in Bolivia. He eventually finished in 17th position.

Line honours in the final shortened final stage – heavy rain the cause -- went to Ivan Jakes from Stefan Svitko and Price. Svitko was fifth overall in the rally, behind Chilean Pablo Qunitanilla (KTM) in fourth.

The 2015 Dakar Rally was indeed a battle of attrition. Of the 168 starters in the bikes division only 78 were on the starting line for the final run into Buenos Aires, including Aussie KTM pair Llewellyn Sullivan-Pavey and Simon Pavey in 62nd and 63rd respectively.

Final results (Cars):

1. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) Qatar Rally Team 40h 32m 25s

2. Giniel de Villiers (RSA) Toyota All Speed +00:35:34

3. Krzysztof Holowczyc (POL) Mini +01:32:01?

Final results (Bikes):

1. Marc Coma (ESP) KTM 46h 03m 06s

2. Paulo Gonçalves (PRT) Honda +00:16:53

3. Toby Price (AUS) KTM +00:23:14

Final results (Trucks):

1. Ayrat Mardeev (RUS) Kamaz 42h 22m 01s

2. Eduard Nikolaev (RUS) Kamaz +00:13:52

3. Andrey Karginov (RUS) Kamaz +00:51:00

For full results, click here.

Price third in 2015 Dakar Rally

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