World champion Price ‘on top of the world’
GOLD Coast speed machine Toby Price has added another illustrious trophy to his career haul after winning his maiden Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.
The 31-year-old triumphed in the Rallye du Maroc, finishing the Moroccan motorcycle event with two stage wins and an overall time seven minutes quicker than any of his rivals.
The result helped Price turn a six-point deficit pre-event into a six-point advantage to clinch the championship.
“What an amazing season – I can’t believe it,” said the 2016 Dakar Rally winner. It’s been a tough one and I didn’t expect to be at the top at the end of it.
“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 … 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 is keenly eyeing a return to the prestigious Dakar race next year across January 6 to 17 in Peru, having placed third in the 2018 edition.
He has also raced a Mitsubishi Triton in SuperUtes rounds this year at Adelaide and Winton.