Toby Price wins Dakar Rally Stage 5

Day five at the 2020 Dakar Rally presented a change in scenery for competitors as they travelled east from Al-‘Ula to Ha’il. The 353-kilometre timed special began with fast, stony tracks similar to the previous day’s stages, before opening out into expansive dunes during the latter half of the route.

Following his sixth-place finish on Wednesday, Toby Price was keen to make the best use of his start position and make up time on the rally front-runners. Pushing hard right from the off, the Australian had moved into the lead by kilometre 152. From there the reigning Dakar champion maintained a strong pace, making the minimum of mistakes, to bring his KTM 450 RALLY home over one-minute ahead of the second-placed rider.

“It was a good day for me today – we’ve seen a big change in scenery with the last half of the stage in the dunes,” said Price. “I got my head down at the start and made some good progress even though it was a bit tricky out there today. I’ve made up some more time on the leaders, which is good and hopefully we’ll have another strong day in the sand tomorrow. I want to wish Sam all the best after his fall today too – hopefully he’s back on the bike again soon.”

Red Bull KTM’s Sam Sunderland was unfortunately forced to abandon the race following a fall.

Privateer Yamaha rider Rod Faggotter finished 23rd in the Stage and is 17th overall. Ben Young posted a time 66th fastest and sits 71st overall. Trevor Wilson is 94th overall after placing 94th in the stage and Matthew Tisdall is 113th overall.

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Day5 Possy 23rd and up to 16th overall. Dropping a couple minutes on finding a waypoint but otherwise a solid n safe day. Was another full on day and up to this stage this is the fastest Dakar In overall speeds I’ve done. Fully charging for hours on end✊✊✊! Thanks for everyone’s support n messages 👍 @yamahamotoraus @ymf_ymi_aus @yamaharacingcomofficial @teneretragics @complete_plumbingcontracting @anonymous_gloves @thormx_aus @bell_powersportsaustralia @scottmotosports @gallbrosmedical @kustommx

A post shared by Rodney Faggotter (@rodneyf56) on Jan 9, 2020 at 6:31am PST

Full Results Click HERE

Provisional Results Stage Five – 2020 Dakar Rally

1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 3:57:33
2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL), Husqvarna, 3:58:45 +1:12
3. Andrew Short (USA), Husqvarna, 4:00:04 +2.31
4. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 4:00:36 +3:03
5. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 4:04:27 +6:54

Provisional Standings (after stage five) – 2020 Dakar Rally

1. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 19:07:19
2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 19:16:25 +9:06
3. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 19:18:51 +11:32
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL), Husqvarna, 19:23:20 +16:01
5. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHL), Honda, 19:27:44 +20:25