Price wins 2016 Dakar Rally

KTM's Toby Price has ridden himself into Australian motorsport immortality by becoming the first rider from Down Under to win the famed Dakar Rally.

After dominating the second half of the epic 9000km event in South America, Price was nearly 40 minutes in front of second-placed Stefan Svitko at the finish line in Rosario, Argentina.

As well as the breakthrough win for Australia, it's the first time in the history of the event that a rider has won the Dakar Rally on their second attempt.

“Winning in my second participation is awesome, but being the first Australian to win the Dakar is just insane," said Price. "I would've never imagined this two years ago.

"Finishing the rally is already a triumph. Winning it is amazing! I tackled the race in true Aussie style. I attacked when I had to, when the time was right, and I kept an eye on my bike during the all-important marathon stages. I also navigated quite well. I hope this is just the start, to win again. It won't be easy, so I've got to savour this victory."

Price was a dominating presence throughout the rally, which this year also had to deal with extreme weather conditions ranging from thunderstorms and flooding to intense temperatures. He picked up his first stage win in the second stage after the first one was washed out by thunderstorms.

He went on to survive the high altitudes of Bolivia, won stages 5-6 and before the rest day in Salta he had moved into second overall. Refreshed and recharged, Price went on to win the eighth and ninth stages to firmly establish himself as the man to beat.

As the rally went into more difficult navigation and at times blistering temperatures, Price continued to manage the final four stages to start the final day with an impressive 37-minute advantage. By the finish he had added another minute and a half to this time advantage.

KTM also celebrated its 15th victory in the Dakar Rally, and also had five of the top 10 finishers.

Price's total time was 48 hours nine minutes 15 seconds (48.9:15), an impressive 39:41 ahead of fellow KTM rider Svitko who's from Slovakia. Chilean Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna, 48:48) was third overall from Argentinean Kevin Benavides (Honda, 45:47) and Portugal's Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha, 55:44).

Quintanilla won the final stage into Rosario, a short 180km timed special, ahead of Benavides, Rodrigues, Price and Svitko.

Final overall results after 13 stages and over 9000km
1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 48 hours nine minutes 15 seconds
2. Stefan Svitko (SVK), KTM, + 39 minutes 41 seconds
3. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Husqvarna, + 48.48
4. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, + 45.47
5. Helder Rodrigues (POR), Yamaha, + 55.44
6. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, + 1 hour 46.29
7. Antoine Meo (FRA), KTM, + 1:56.47
8. Gerard Farres (ESP), KTM, + 2:01.00
9. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, +2:11.22
10. Armand Monleon (FRA), KTM + 3:27.49