THE
AUSSIES
Three Aussies flew the Australian flag
this year and they did us proud. The 2016
winner Toby Price, the factory-supported
Yamaha veteran Rod Faggotter and the self-
funded Dakar rookie Scott Britnell. This is
how their fortnight played outTOBY PRICE
FOR THE THIRD time in four attempts, Toby Price has
celebrated a podium at the gruelling Dakar Rally. A hell of
an achievement in itself, but with just six weeks of on-bike
preparation leading into what is undoubtedly the most
demanding off-road race in the world, his third-place finish
may as well have been a win.
Twelve months ago, the Red Bull KTM star crashed
heavily while leading the fourth stage of the 2017 event,
breaking his femur into four pieces. A year later and
various ongoing complications meant Toby Price’s
participation in the 2018 event looked sketchy.
He had a steady start, easing his way into the race but
by the end of the eighth stage, found himself in fourth
overall, just 7m35s behind van Beveren.
Consistent performances would follow and until what
he called the “day you want to forget” arrived and he lost
50 minutes, he was threatening for the top spot.
He fought back in Stage 11, where he nabbed his first
stage win of the 2018 event, and backed it up in the
penultimate Stage 13, however it was a case of too-little
too-late for the New South Wales rider.
“It was great to get my first stage win at Stage 11, it was a
little bit tricky in Stage 13 but we made up some time in the
first section of the stage,” said Price. “I am happy to get to
the finish line, that was our main goal.
“Second [place] for Stage 14, and all in all I’m really
pumped to be at the finish. And to come away with third
overall is something I wasn’t expecting on [my] return
from injury! “I’m stoked to walk away from this fit and
healthy and I’m looking forward to 12 months prep for the
2019 Dakar Rally!”It’s one thing drinking out
of a boot after an 18-lap
MotoGP race, but Price
takes the shoey to the next
level after his 6800km epic