Tobi Price Wins 5th Motorcycle Stage and Brabec Holds Leadership
Australian Toby Price (KTM) today became the first rider to repeat a motorcycle victory in the 42nd edition of the off-road Dakar Rally by winning the fifth of the 12 stages in Saudi Arabia.
The KTM rider spent 3: 57.33 hours to complete the 353 kilometers of the selective sector of a 564-race takeoff, leaving Chilean Pablo Quintanilha (Husqvarna), second, at 1.12 minutes. American Andrew Short (Husqvarna), former star of the American supercross, closed the podium at 2.31.
Paulo Gonçalves (Hero) was again the best Portuguese, finishing in 10th position, 13.52 minutes from Price.
The day was also marked by the withdrawal of Briton Sam Sunderland (KTM), one of the candidates for the victory, due to a fall that caused his back and shoulder injuries.
With these results, the American Ricky Brabec (Honda) maintained the leadership of the motorcycle category, with 9.06 minutes ahead of Price, which rose to second place. Argentine Kevin Benavides (Honda) is third at 11.32.
On Friday, the sixth stage of the Dakar will take place between Hail and Riyadh, with 830 kilometers, 477 of them timed before the rest day on Saturday.
