Toby Price wins cross-country world title!
The Australian’s victory in the season-ending round in Morocco saw him clinch the championship on his factory KTMDakar Rally winner Toby Price (KTM) has now become the first Australian to win the Cross-Country Rallies World Championship after he claimed victory at the final round of the season in Morocco.
With his nearest title rival Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) finishing fourth in Morocco, Toby leapfrogged the Chilean rider in the standings to claim the championship by 6pts.
Riding with great consistency throughout the 2018 season has paid off for Price. Multiple stage wins as well as podiums at the Atacama Rally and Desafio Ruta 40, added to his win in Morocco, have resulted in the 31-year-old becoming a worthy world champion.
“What an amazing season – I can’t believe it. It’s been a tough one and I didn’t expect to be at the top of the list at the end of it,” said Price.
“I had some bad luck back in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of the year, but after that every rally has gone well and I’ve finished on the podium at every round. To win the world championship with a win here in Morocco makes it all that little bit sweeter.
“If I am honest, I was nervous out there on the final stage today, there are no guarantees in rally racing, especially when I had to lead the stage out. This is my first world championship in any category so I am so, so happy.
“It’s all credit to my team and everyone at Red Bull KTM, without them behind me I wouldn’t be standing on the top step. I’m standing on the top of the world and it’s the best feeling ever.”
Price defeated teammate Mathias Walkner by over seven minutes in Morocco, with American Ricky Brabec (Honda) in third.
The next competitive outing for Price will be the 2019 Dakar Rally, starting on January 6. Price won the 2016 Dakar Rally.
Price now joins exalted Aussie company as a world motorcycle racing champion.
Morocco Rally results
1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 16:08:37
2. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 16:16:09 +7:32
3. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 16:25:12 +16:35
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Husqvarna, 16:43:29 +34:52
5. Paulo Goncalves (PRT), Honda, 16:56:51 +48:14
2018 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship final standings
1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 91pts
2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL), Husqvarna, 85pts
3. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 75pts
4. Paulo Goncalves (POR), Honda, 70pts
5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 56pts
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