In a huge effort, Hunter Dakar champion Toby Price has taken the lead in the 2019 Dakar Rally with just two days to go.
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“I knew today had to count so I gave it everything – the wrist is really starting to sting now,” Price said after stage eight.
Price finished third but was able to leapfrog overnight leader American Ricky Brabec and Frenchman drien van Beveren.
He leads Pablo Quintanilla by 1 minute; 03 seconds after the Chilean rider bounced back to finish second on the stage behind Price’s Red Bull KTM teammate Austrian Matthias Walkner.
“It was a long special at 360 kilometers but I got through it and I’m pleased with how the whole stage went,” Price said.
“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.”
In a show of his determination after stage seven, Price said he had gone past the point of return and would see out the end of the Dakar Rally irrespective on the pain from his injured wrist.
Price delivered starting stage eight eight minutes and 28 seconds off the lead and finishing it in front by more than a minute.
Stage nine is 409 km long, with a 313km timed section.
Overall lead:
TOBY PRICE: Red Bull KTM Factory Team 28H 53' 08'' Pen: 00H 01' 33''
PABLO QUINTANILLA: Rockstar Energy Husqvarna + 00H 1' 03''
MATTHIAS WALKNER: Red Bull KTM Factory Team +00H 6' 35” Pen: 3’ 00”
SAM SUNDERLAND: Red Bull KTM Factory Team + 00H 6’ 38” Pen: 2’ 00”
ADRIEN VAN BEVEREN: Yamalube Yamaha + 00H 9' 54''
ANDREW SHORT: Rockstar Energy Husqvarna + 00H 39' 27''
XAVIER DE SOULTRAIT: Yamalube Yamaha + 00H 46' 17'' Pen: 1’ 00”
LUCIANO BENAVIDES: Red Bull KTM Factory Team + 01H 04’ 24''
JOSE FLORIMO: Monster Energy Honda +01H 05’ 54” Pen: 15’ 00”
ORIOL MENA: Hero Motorsports Team + 01H 49' 51''