Toby Price’s hopes for back-to-back victories in the Dakar Rally ended in the dirt today when he crashed hard and reportedly suffered a broken femur during Stage 4 of the 2017 Dakar Rally today.
After winning Stage 2 on Tuesday, the 29-year-old Australian had started today fifth overall in the high-altitude dune stage from San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina, to Tupiza, Argentina. Most of the route, 416 of its 521 kilometers, was timed special. Price, who has proven that he is a very good dune rider, quickly moved up to challenge for the stage lead. He continued to run well deep into the stage, passing Waypoint 10–the second to last of the stage–with a 1-minute, 35-second lead over Monster Energy Honda’s Joan Barreda. He crashed shortly after that, and reports on the course were that he was being treated by an emergency medical team for a fractured thigh bone and needed to be airlifted away from the event for further medical attention.
No pun intended, but it’s a tough break for the likable Price, who effectively burst onto the rally scene two years ago after being unsure if he would even have a ride in the FIM Enduro World Championship even though he won the Enduro 3 World Championship in 2014. Price managed to secure a ride with the Red Bull KTM team for the 2015 Dakar Rally, and he instantly proved his worth by finishing third overall in his Dakar debut. Of course, he cemented his status as a top rally contender by running a masterful race to win the 2016 Dakar Rally, and he was considered the man to beat in the 2017 event. Now his hopes for another Dakar Rally victory will have to wait until at least 2018.
Despite Price’s exit, Red Bull KTM rallied today, with 2015 FIM Cross Country Rallies World Champion Matthias Walkner taking the Stage 4 victory with a time of 4 hours, 57 minutes and 22 seconds. Overall rally leader Joan Barreda finished second, just 2 minutes and 2 seconds off of Walkner’s pace, and the Spanish Monster Energy Honda rider retains the overall lead subject to official confirmation at the end of the day. Barreda’s teammate, Michael Metge of France, enjoyed his best stage finish of the 2017 Dakar Rally when he finished third, 3 minutes and 18 seconds behind Walkner.
American rider Ricky Brabec had a long day in the dunes, finising outside the top 10 for the first time in the 2017 Dakar Rally. Brabec came home 11th today, 16 minutes and 5 seconds off the winning the time.
2017 Dakar Rally
San Salvador de Jujuy to Tupiza, Argentina
Results: January 5, 2016 (Stage 4 of 12)
Stage 4
1. Matthias Walkner (AUT)-Red Bull KTM/4 hours, 57 minutes, 22 seconds
2. Joan Barreda (ESP)-Monster Energy Honda/+00:02:02
3. Michael Metge (FRA)-Monster Energy Honda/+00:03:18
4. Xavier de Soultrait (FRA)-Viltais Racing Team HFP Yamaha/+00:05:58
5. Stefan Svitko (SVK)-Slovnaft Team KTM/+00:08:33
6. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL)-Rockstar Energy Husqvarna/+00:09:22
7. Gerard Farres (ESP)-Himoinsa Team KTM/+00:10:24
8. Pela Renet (FRA)-Rockstar Energy Husqvarna/+00:12:30
9. Franco Caimi (ARG)-Honda South America Rally/+00:13:03
10. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA)-Yamalube Yamaha/+00:13:11
11. Ricky Brabec (USA)-Monster Energy Honda/+00:16:05
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