Heading into the final stage of the Dakar Rally, Hillston’s Toby Price is in prime position to take out his second title at the challenging endurance event.
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After heading into stage eight trailing by over eight minutes a strong ride over the course of the 575km stage from San Juan de Marcona to Pisco.
Price was able to finish third in the stage a minute and 13 seconds behind stage winner and teammate Matthias Walkner and that was enough to see the former champion take the lead by a margin of one minute and three seconds from Pablo Quintanilla.
Price knew the importance of the stage if he wanted to make a final charge.
“I knew today had to count, so I gave it everything – the wrist is really starting to sting now,” he said.
“It was a long special at 360 kilometers, but I got through it, and I’m pleased with how the whole stage went.
“When the helmet goes on, you know I’m just going to do the best I can.”
Stage nine saw another mass start and Price was able to maintain his position at the top with a fifth-place finish in the stage as he was three minutes and 29 seconds behind eventual winner Michael Metgre.
In a day of drama, Price was fifth in the 409-kilometre ninth stage as fellow title contender Sam Sunderland was penalised an hour at the start.
The stage saw Price lose a second of his overall lead over Quintanilla, but Price was satisfied with that.
“I got through stage nine today where we had the mass-start,” he said.
“There was no chance to make up any time or lose time really. I just had to stick with the group.”
Heading into the final stage which will see the riders travel from Pisco to the Peruvian capital of Lima and Price knows he will have to be switched on from the start.
“Tomorrow is only a 100-kilometre stage, but I think it’s going to feel more like 300,” he said.
“The boys are really going to up their pace, and all I can do is try my best once more and try to stay with them.
“If I can get through tomorrow and finish on the podium, I’ll be more than happy.”
Quintanilla promised to "give it my 100 per cent to win the race" for his first title.