Toby Price claims hard earnt Dakar Rally 2019 win

At the end of what has been an incredibly successful race for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Toby Price, Matthias Walkner and Sam Sunderland have rounded out the final podium positions with Price securing KTM their 18th consecutive victory at the iconic event.

Coming into Stage 10, competitors were faced with a 359-kilometre trek, including a 112-kilometre special and 247-kilometre liaison around the city of Pisco. With Pisco’s beachside backdrop featuring, the day couldn’t have gone better for Price.

Toby Price claims 2019 Dakar victory – Image by Marcin Kin

Leading the overall standings by just over one minute going into Thursday’s 10th and final stage, Toby Price had no choice but to give his all on the day’s short 112-kilometre timed special. With competitors setting off in the reverse order to that of their position in the overall standings, Price was the very last motorcycle rider to enter the stage.

Pushing right from the start, Toby knew he couldn’t spare a single second on the well-travelled route. Just 10 kilometres into the stage however, the Australian’s nearest rival fell, leaving Price free to complete the special at a steadier pace. Putting in a champion’s ride, he still pushed on to ultimately claim the stage win and with it, his second Dakar title.

Toby Price – Dakar Rally 2019 – Image by Marcin Kin

In what has been a superb display of riding, determination and bravery, Price has overcome all the odds to take a well-deserved win. Breaking his wrist just weeks before the event put doubts on whether the 2016 Dakar winner would even complete the rally. Showing immense resolve, Toby took each stage as it came, riding consistently, and at the end of the 10-day event his perseverance paid off. It’s been a great few months for Price and KTM – 2018 FIM Cross Country Rallies World Champion and now 2019 Dakar Rally Champion.

Toby Price shared after his victory, “It feels amazing to stand here knowing I have won the Dakar, I don’t think it has really sunk in yet. I thought at the beginning of the event I would be lucky to even make the rest day. My Red Bull KTM bike has been amazing, I want to say a big thank you to my mechanic for that.

Toby Price – Dakar Rally 2019 – Image by Marcin Kin

“The whole crew here do an amazing job – without them I would be no one. The team put in so much work on the lead up to the event and when we get here it’s down to me out there on the track so it feels amazing to be able to reward them all with this result and keep KTM’s winning streak going.

“It was so tight going into the stage this morning, both Pablo and I knew we would have to push right from the start. Unfortunately for him, he went too hard off a dune but he really deserves a win too – everyone that starts this race deserves a win. The plan now is to go home and relax for a little while, I know I need to have my wrist seen to, so I’ll get that sorted and then it won’t be long before we start it all over again.”

Matthias Walkner – Dakar Rally 2019 – Image by Marcin Kin

Finishing third fastest on the final stage secured Matthias Walkner the runner-up spot at the rally. Hurting his ankle earlier on in the event following a hard landing off a dune was not enough to slow the Austrian’s progress through the race. Excelling on the stages where accurate navigation was supremely important, Walkner stayed in touch with the rally’s leaders right to the finish.

Following the removal of the one-hour penalty issued for missing the start of stage eight, Sam Sunderland was promoted to third overall at the close of the rally. Riding to fourth on stage 10 to claim the final step on the podium, Sam’s result makes it a Red Bull KTM Factory Racing one-two-three.

Sam Sunderland – Dakar Rally 2019 – Image by Marcin Kin

Jordi Viladoms, KTM Rally Team Manager shared, “It’s been an amazing race with many ups and downs, often stressful, but I am extremely proud of the whole team’s performance. The rally has been far tougher than expected. Despite being shorter than usual it has included days with tricky strategy, navigation and the level of riding has been so close. To win our 18th consecutive Dakar is incredible and a lot of it is thanks to Toby, he won the race even with a lot of pain in his wrist. Personally, I would like to thank KTM for their ongoing support of this rally programme, but all of this is only possible because of how the team works together.”

Fellow Australians Ben Young (Duust Rally Team) and James Alistair Ferguson (James Ferguson) finished Stage 10 in 55th and 67th place respectively, ending the 2019 Dakar Rally in 51st and 67th overall!