KTM’s Toby Price claims fifth on penultimate stage of Dakar while Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders places eighth on Stage 11 at Dakar 2024.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has completed Stage 11 of the 2024 Dakar Rally as fifth-fastest.
At 420 kilometres, the timed special on Stage 11 delivered a huge challenge to all competitors. The longest special of the second week of racing included a route that twisted its way through the canyons from AlUla to Yanbu. Kilometers upon kilometers of rocky tracks were the order of the day, providing the last, truly grueling test for the bikes.
Price set off early this morning for the second to last time at this year’s event, focused on pushing hard on the special. Eighth into the stage, the Australian put in a solid ride, making the minimum of mistakes on the unforgiving terrain to steadily move himself up the day’s timesheets. Toby reached as high as fourth place at the midway point of the special, but he ultimately secured fifth place at the finish line after the leader’s bonus time was factored in. Lying in provisional sixth overall, Price will undoubtedly be looking to give his all one last time at this year’s Dakar, on Friday’s stage 12.
Toby Price: “Another day done here at the Dakar, and everything is feeling good. The stones are definitely a challenge to get through, but I didn’t make any major navigational mistakes today, there were just a couple of little sections where I had to make a small adjustment. That’s one more stage ticked off and it brings us closer to the finish, which is a nice feeling. I’m feeling good physically, the bike is good, so I’ll look forward to tomorrow and just crossing that finish line safely.”
Meanwhile, one day on from almost winning stage 10, Chucky delivered another respectable ride through the timed special on day 11 at the Dakar. Even though he was one of the leading riders out there after placing fourth yesterday, Daniel’s speed early on ensured he picked up another top-10 stage finish to all but secure eighth in this year’s event. Now, just one 175-kilometer special separates Sanders from finishing his third Dakar from four starts.
By completing the penultimate stage at Dakar 2024 as the eighth-fastest rider, Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders has successfully moved one day closer to the event’s finish line. Despite feeling the toll of 11 tough days in the desert, the Aussie racer has put together a courageous effort day-by-day and remains eighth overall with just one timed special to go.
Daniel Sanders: “The whole body is really sore now after 11 gnarly days on the bike. Towards the end of today it was pretty tough as it was rocky and I made a few mistakes with my navigation, but I made it to the end and we’re all good for the last day tomorrow. Coming into this year with only two weeks on the bike wasn’t really the best preparation but I know my speed is good, it’s just my fitness that’s holding me back a little. Tomorrow I’ll be starting a little further back, so I’ll definitely be going for it on the final day.”
Provisional Results – 2024 Dakar Rally, Stage 11
1. Ross Branch (BWA), Hero, 4:51:57
2. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 4:52:29 +0:32
3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 4:55:14 +3:17
4. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 4:56:35 +4:38
5. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 4:58:28 +6:31
8. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 5:04:20
Provisional Standings – 2024 Dakar Rally (after 11 of 12 stages)
1. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 49:37:57
2. Ross Branch (BWA), Hero, 49:48:19 +10:22
3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 49:52:28 +14:31
4. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHL), Honda, 50:16:41 +38:44
6. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 50:25:56 +47:59
8. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 50:50:22