Red Bull KTM’s Toby Price of Australia got off to a quick start in the 2016 OiLibya Morocco Rally today, earning the Stage 1 win and taking the overall lead.
Price, the reigning Dakar Rally Champion, asserted himself over the first two timed special stages in Morocco, round six of the 2016 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship. The route included sandy sections, rocky terrain and narrow stretches that didn’t require a lot of navigation. Price finished with a time of 1 hour, 31 minutes and 20 seconds.
Team HRC Rally’s Kevin Benavides of Argentina was hot on Price’s heels today in Morocco, finishing second in Stage 1, just a minute off of the KTM man’s winning time. Price’s teammate, Sam Sunderland of Great Britain, finished third in the stage.
Team HRC’s Ricky Brabec also had a strong run, posting a fourth-place finish just 2 minutes and 34 seconds behind Price to give himself a good start toward a possible podium finish in the event.
“It was a good day with fast tracks and a little bit sandy,” Brabec said. “It was pretty simple navigation, and the weather was perfect. We have four more days to go, and tomorrow there is the marathon. So, let’s see what we can do over the next few days, and hopefully we can all stay close together like today.
Tomorrow’s marathon stage will include 554 kilometers, about 291 of which will be timed. Riders must return their machines to the parc ferme at the stage’s conclusion, and all repairs must be done by the riders without any outside assistance.
2016 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship
OiLibya Morocco Rally
Morocco
Results: October 3, 2016 (Stage 1 of 5)
Stage 1
1. Toby Price (AUS)-KTM/1 hour, 31 minutes, 20 seconds
2. Kevin Benavides (ARG)-Hon/+00:00:54
3. Sam Sunderland (GBR)-KTM/+00:01:24
4. Ricky Brabec (USA)-Hon/+00:02:34
5. Paulo Goncalves (POR)-Hon/+00:03:08
6. Matthias Walkner (AUT)-KTM/+00:04:09
7. Joan Pedrero (ESP)-She/+00:04:47
8. Alessandro Botturi (ITA)-Yam/+00:04:51
9. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI)-Hus/+00:04:55
10. Xavier De Soultrait (FRA)-Yam/+00:06:23
2016 OiLobya Morocco Rally Overall Standings (after Stage 1 of 5)
1. Toby Price (AUS)-KTM/1 hour, 31 minutes, 20 seconds
2. Kevin Benavides (ARG)-Hon/+00:00:54
3. Sam Sunderland (GBR)-KTM/+00:01:24
4. Ricky Brabec (USA)-Hon/+00:02:34
5. Paulo Goncalves (POR)-Hon/+00:03:08
6. Matthias Walkner (AUT)-KTM/+00:04:09
7. Joan Pedrero (ESP)-She/+00:04:47
8. Alessandro Botturi (ITA)-Yam/+00:04:51
9. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI)-Hus/+00:04:55
10. Xavier De Soultrait (FRA)-Yam/+00:06:23
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