Aberglasslyn’s Toby Price has equalled the best result by an Australian motorcyclist at the Dakar Rally after finishing third on debut in the world’s toughest endurance race.
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The 27-year-old stood on the podium alongside five-time winner and KTM teammate Marc Coma, as well as silver medallist Paulo Goncalves when the 13-stage event reached its finale in Argentina in the early hours of yesterday morning (AEST).
“Well, what a ride that was,” Price posted on his website.
“One of the toughest and bad ass races I’ve ever done.
“Just getting to the finish line is a win for everybody, but I somehow managed third overall and a spot on the podium with these two legends.”
Price finished ahead of the top place getters on the final 393 kilometre stage with a third spot, ensuring he would make his maiden Dakar one to remember.
Price was only a minute off the pace from Rosario to Buenos Aeries after taking out stage 12 a day earlier, the first time an Australian had done so since 2006.
He eventually finished the event in a time of 46 hours, 27 minutes and three seconds.
This put Price 23 minutes and 14 seconds off champion Coma, less than eight minutes behind Goncalves and more than quarter-of-an-hour ahead of fourth-placed Chilean Pablo Quintanilla.
Remarkably, this achievement came after Price was as far back as eighth overall and 40 minutes behind the frontrunner in the early stages.
This result also meant Price matched the overall bronze-medal efforts of South Australian Andy Haydon from 1998.
Price said he was proud to represent Australia on the world stage and thanked those from home, including here in the Hunter, for all of their well wishes along the way.
“I’m lost for words but once again, thank you to everyone for the support worldwide and most of all Australia,” Price said.
“I’m glad I could get this one for myself and Australia.”
The 2015 Dakar Rally has capped off an incredible return to the sport for Price, who almost had his career ended less than two years ago when a race fall left him with spinal injuries.
Since getting back on the bike at the start of last year Price has been almost unstoppable.
In the space of 12 months Price won the Hattah and Finke desert double during winter, claimed his fourth Australian Off-Road Championship and won his E3 class at the International Six-Day Enduro.
