Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has delivered a strong performance on the short but technically demanding Stage 5 at the 2024 Dakar Rally to finish as third fastest. Navigating through the 118 kilometers without major issue, Price retained his eighth-place ranking in the provisional overall standings but closed in on time to the current top three.
Despite including the shortest timed special of the event so far, stage five delivered another long day in the saddle with riders leaving the bivouac at Al Hofuf early in the morning ahead of a long, 508-kilometer liaison. Although not quite a sprint, the 118-kilometer special proved short but particularly challenging to navigate due to some steep sand dunes and the sun making visibility difficult.
Keeping in mind that Thursday’s opening leg of the event’s 48-hour ‘chrono’ stage would be a reverse start for the Rally GP competitors, Price knew he had to make good time on today’s special. Immediately fast from the outset, the Australian maintained his top-three position throughout the stage. Completing the special in just over 94 minutes, Toby clocked the third-quickest time, and will enjoy an advantageous start position going into Thursday’s stage 6a.
Toby Price: “It was quite a tough stage today – not very long, but it was hot and there were some challenging sections in the dunes. I’m happy though, I got through with some good pace. I missed a couple of drops, which got the heart rate up a little bit. But all in all, I’m happy with my speed and the result. Heading into tomorrow, I should have a good starting position for the long chrono stage, so my plan is to get through safely, try and conserve a little energy and the bike, and hopefully head into the rest day in a strong position overall.”
And it’s an important result for Sanders as the sixth special features an all-new stage concept. Taking place over two days and with the starting order reversed for the RallyGP class riders, Chucky is primed to take advantage of a favorable starting position into the super-long special. And with a total distance of 626 kilometers to cover against the clock, Sanders is perfectly placed to reel in the leading riders on stage as well as in the overall classification.
Daniel Sanders: “A little bit better today. It was hot out there and the stage was short and fast with a lot of sandy drops. I had a couple of small crashes, which tested the old leg out, and it was all good. I felt great on the bike today, too. It’s the big stage up next and I hope the weather is a little bit cooler than today because it’s going to be a long day. For now though, I’m going to be rehydrating and refueling myself in preparation for tomorrow.”
1. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL), Honda, 1:32:53
2. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 1:33:30 +0:37
3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 1:34:32 +1:39
4. Ross Branch (BWA), Hero, 1:35:51 +2:58
5. Mason Klein (USA), KOVE, 1:35:54 +3:01
Provisional Standings – 2024 Dakar Rally (after 5 of 12 stages)
1. Ross Branch (BWA), Hero, 19:05:03
2. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHL), Honda, 19:06:17 +1:14
3. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 19:08:50 +3:47
4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 19:23:13 +18:10
5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 19:26:20 +21:17
