KTM's Toby Price takes incredible Stage Eight runner-up finish after makeshift repair to sliced tyre
By Press Release on 11th Jan 21
Rally Sam Sunderland Dakar Toby Price Matthias Walkner
Red Bull KTM Factory Racings Toby Price has successfully completed stage eight of the 2021 Dakar Rally in an excellent second place. Team-mate Sam Sunderland put in yet another strong performance for fourth, with all four factory riders finishing inside the top 10 as Daniel Sanders and Matthias Walkner claimed seventh and eighth respectively.
Marking the second half of the rallys marathon stage, the 709km day eight offered no respite for the riders. Leaving the temporary bivouac at Sakaka behind and heading west, a 226km liaison led riders to the start of the 375km timed special. Comprising a challenging mix of sandy tracks followed by difficult to navigate stony pistes, the stage to Neom would test all riders skill and endurance on the second of two incredibly tough days in the desert.
Toby Price endured a mixed first leg of the marathon stage. The Australian led till well over the halfway point when unfortunately a rock sliced open his rear tire, forcing him to ease his pace to the finish. Not able to change or swap the damaged item due to the marathon stage rules, Price carried out a makeshift repair last night before today taking on the 709km stage eight. Riding cautiously, Toby successfully completed the stage in an incredible second place. Testament to the quality of the tire, and the repair made by the Australian, Price remains well in the hunt for the podium, lying second overall in the provisional standings.
Toby Price: Its been a really tough couple of days for me. I damaged my tire yesterday and of course, not being allowed to change it, I had to repair it as best I could for today and hope it held up. I rode a good stage, but all the while I was trying to be as smooth as possible not accelerate too hard in case the issue got worse. Second on the day is not bad at all, I lost a little more time to the rally leader, but Im just glad I got to the finish line.
Following his solid performance and fourth-fastest time on stage seven, Sam Sunderland soon found himself near the front of the pack on stage eight, having to carefully navigate his way around the mixed-terrain special. Despite losing a little time early on, which dropped him down the closely-fought leaderboard to 13th, Sam steadily fought his way back to ultimately complete the stage in fourth. Although not enjoying the best start position for Tuesdays stage nine, Sunderland, lying third overall, will have the opportunity to chase down the two riders ahead of him in the provisional standings.
Sam Sunderland: Im just trying to take each day as it comes at the moment. My pace has been good over the two days of the marathon stage, but its certainly been tough. Riding about 1,600km on the same tires and wheels is pretty good going, although they are looking a little second hand now. The pace is so fast and at the same time youre trying to look down at the road book and check your navigation its not surprising youre going to hit a rock now and again. Im glad to get another day done and Ill keep on doing my best and well see where we are at the finish.
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