Toby Price is the first Australian to win the Dakar Rally.
Australian rider Toby Price has won the Dakar Rally this morning becoming the first Australian to take out the historic event.
Price finished fourth in the final stage 4 minutes 22 seconds behind stage winner Pablo Quintanilla but more importantly 2 minutes and 2 seconds ahead of nearest rival and KTM teammate Stefan Svitko.
Toby took the lead in the 8th stage and strengthened his lead from there. His overall winning margin was 39 minutes 41seconds.
“Being the first Australian to win the Dakar is just insane.”
“I don’t know what to say, I don’t know what to think… I’m in shock”, Toby said in claiming the victory.
Toby is also the first person to win a category on only his second run at the event.
“I never would’ve thought I could win this race in my second participation. This is incredible for my family, my friends and my fans back in Australia! Winning in my second participation is awesome, but being the first Australian to win the Dakar is just insane.”
John Price, Toby’s father, said the triumph had been years in the making.
“Toby started racing when he was four years of age, and it has always been his dream to be the best in the world,” he said.
“And he is definitely showing he has got the talent to be the best in the world.”
The Dakar Rally is regarded as one of the toughest events in the world, and fellow Australian Christophe Barriere-Varju, himself a four-time competitor in the event, will vouch for.
Simply finishing the event is a monumental achievement, winning is the ultimate prize in off road racing.
In all only 218 of the 358 competitors entered in this year’s event managed to make it to the finish line.
Toby is already giving hints about another attempt at the rally. “I hope this is just the start, to win again. It won’t be easy, so I’ve got to savour this victory”, he said.
Our congratulations go to Toby on such a historic win.