PRICE RIGHT IN PERU
TOBY TAKES LEAD IN DAKAR RALLY
GOLD Coaster Toby Price is the latest rider to take the motorbikes lead in the Dakar Rally but unlike cars leader Nasser Al-Attiyah, he has very little breathing space.
Price, who opened the race in sixth place, finally bagged the lead almost by a process of elimination during the 360km eighth stage from San Juan de Marcona up the Peruvian coast to Pisco.
Overnight leader Ricky Brabec was out of Tuesday’s race after 56km when his Honda engine broke, the same fate he suffered last year.
Price led for most of the stage until near the end when he was overtaken by defending champion Matthias Walker, the stage winner, and Pablo Quintanilla, who was 45 seconds back in second.
Nevertheless, Price, third on the stage, moved into the overall lead with an advantage of 1 min 3 secs.
There are two stages remaining.
Price won the Dakar at his second attempt in 2016 the first Australian champion - and went to this Dakar having won his first crosscountry rallies world title and the Morocco Rally.
Remarkably, the 31-yearold is racing with a broken wrist.
“Today, I knew it had to count,” Price posted on Instagram after the stage.
“The wrist is really starting to sting now. It was a long special at 360km but I got through it and I’m pleased with how the whole stage went.
“Just two days left so I’ll get some rest tonight and attack again tomorrow. When the helmet goes on, you know I’m just going to do the best I can.”