Aussie rider Toby Price wins Stage 9 and increases lead.
Australia’s Toby Price has extended his lead in the Dakar Rally with a win in Stage 9.
The stage was shortened after many competitors struggled and became stuck in sand dunes.
Toby, who lives in Singleton in the Hunter Valley, is Australia’s only competitor and after several previous stage wins is now in a good position to take outright victory in the motorcycle category.
He is now almost 25 minutes ahead of his nearest rival, fellow KTM rider Stefan Svitco.
Price has been battling over many stages with Honda rider Paulo Goncalves, but a crash by Goncalves in Stage 8 damaged his navigation equipment and sent the Portuguese rider down the rankings.
Goncalves faced further drama in Stage 9 with radiator damage, but because the stage was shortened is officially still in the race.
There are 4 remaining stages in this year’s event, and a win will make Toby the first Australian to claim a victory.