Toby Price takes the win on the first leg of the second marathon stage at this year’s Dakar Rally. The Super Fiambalá as it has come to be known was a 280km special through the Argentinian dunes with scorching temperatures reaching over 40 degrees.

Similar to yesterday’s stage, navigation was massively important as was the ability to conserve machinery as no mechanical help could be provided at the bivouac.

Toby Price was one of those riders who lost their way on yesterday’s stage 10. Riding hard to make up time on today’s stage, Price led the special from start to finish. This dominant performance moves the Australian up to third in the provisional standings, albeit close to 40-minutes down on the leader, team-mate Matthias Walkner.

Toby Price - Image by PhotosDakar.com - KTM Media Library

Toby Price – Image by PhotosDakar.com – KTM Media Library

Like Price, Antoine Meo was suffering from a late start position due to his result from stage 10. The Frenchman rode superbly all day battling for the runner-up spot right until the flag. A small mistake cost Meo a few minutes but the former Enduro World Champion was still able to claim third place and also improve his position in the provisional standings to fifth.

Matthias Walkner opened the road for the bikes and with stage 11 being a mixed start, the Austrian had to contend with some of the leading cars on the tracks, too. Riding consistently and again concentrating on his navigation, Walkner rode to a strong fifth place

 

Stage 12 of the 2018 Dakar Rally, the second leg of the final marathon stage, will again test both rider and machine. Following a night in the bivouac with no team-assistance riders will leave Fiambalá and head for San Juan.

Conserving both machine and energy will be extremely important on this 723km stage. A long 375km timed special will require good navigational and supreme physical endurance in the Argentinian heat. Winding its way through the dirt tracks and riverbeds of the San Juan region, the route could bring even more changes to the current running order.

Provisional Results Stage 11 – 2018 Dakar Rally

1. Toby Price (AUT), KTM, 4:01:33
2. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 4:03:11 +1:38
3. Antoine Meo (FRA), KTM, 4:08:04 +6:31
4. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 4:09:07 +7:34
5. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 4:12:34 +11:01
…16. Rodney Faggotter (AUS), Yamaha, 04:42:44

Provisional Standings after Stage 11 – 2018 Dakar Rally

1. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 36:33:37
2. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 37:05:37 +32:00
3. Toby Price (AUT), KTM, 37:12:54 +39:17
4. Gerard Farres (ESP), KTM, 37:22:54 +49:17
5. Antoine Meo (FRA), KTM, 37:32:42 +59:05
…18. Rodney Faggotter (AUS), Yamaha, 39:54:51, +03:21:14

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