News 31 Jan 2014

Expectations unclear for Price ahead of racing return

Factory KTM rider ready for Australian comeback at Enduro-X.

Image: Adam Riemann.

Image: Adam Riemann.

Multiple Australian champion Toby Price will officially make his return to racing on a domestic level when the KTM Enduro-X Nationals series commences on Sunday in Brisbane.

Price will return following his career-threatening neck injuries sustained in the US early last year, marking a welcome comeback to competition for the KTM Enduro Racing team aboard a 350 SX-F.

The Enduro-X event at Archerfield Speedway is the first of three stops on the expanded 2014 schedule, providing a platform for Price to refine his racecraft after a lengthy layoff.

“I’m looking forward to my first race back in Australia, but I don’t know what to expect,” Price commented. “The competition will be really tough. It’s the first event and everyone’s batteries are recharged so a lot of guys will come out firing, so either I’ll find I’m in good form or I’ll find out what I need to work on before the second one.

“The 350 SX-F is a little lighter and more nimble to get around the more technical tracks, and since we’ve got a three-round series I thought I’d ride something more suited to it. Once these are done I’ll get ready for the AORC on the bigger bike.”

Price will be partnered with defending Enduro-X champion Peter Boyle this season, while Enduro Junior World Champion Matt Phillips will be absent from the series.

“I’ve been doing a fair bit of riding and I’m really looking forward to this,” Boyle said of his KTM debut. “I’ve been up with the team for a few days to test and I’m feeling pretty good on the bike, pretty comfortable.

“It’s great that they’ve come up with a series like this which is a bit more challenging – it’s like our version of supercross and if I can do what I did last year in Melbourne I will be very happy.”

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