Price surges to second Dakar stage win of the year
Aussie closes in on leaders following marathon stage.
Source: Supplied.
Red Bull KTM factory rider Toby Price was in form on Thursday to take his second Dakar Rally stage win in the current edition as the off-road epic crossed from Argentina into Bolivia.
The Australian rider completed the stage, which was also characterised by a climb to 4600 meters altitude, in four hours three minutes and 44 seconds. He moved from seventh in the overall rankings up to third and is now just one minute 47 seconds behind the leader.
It was a good day for KTM riders and Price was the first of four fastest to reach the finish at Uyuni to also safely wrap up the second half of the marathon stage. KTM factory teammate and Dakar Rookie Antoine Meo was second in the stage and is looking increasingly comfortable after his switch from enduro racing to rally.
Price was on the pace on Thursday, clocking the fastest time throughout the 328km timed special. Speaking about the two-day long marathon stage he commented: “They were long stages and I had to look after the bike and make sure we made no mistakes and also look after the tires. Yesterday we were back a little bit but we still made some good times.
“Today was a stage win and we’re back in contention again and hopefully we can get a good day in tomorrow. Today was really fast tracks but the bike is holding up well. The special went from wide open to tight technical and I had to adjust to that. Now I have to maintain a good position each day.”
Price also confirmed that he had no problems with the altitude, which has proved difficult for some riders. The climb to 4600 meters at the end of the special was the highest point so far in a Dakar Rally. The stage was a total of 642km with more difficult navigation on the way from Jujuy into Uyuni.
Friday’s stage six is a loop around Uyuni, but it is also the longest timed special of this year’s edition over a total distance of 723km, including 542km under the clock. Altitude may also create problems as the ride is between 3500 and 4200 meters and organizers have promised a constant change of pace and terrain.
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