TRAVERSE Issue 10 - February 2019 | Page 11

EXHAUSTED! The Uncompromising Dakar A s 75 riders finished what was regarded as the one of the closest and most gruelling of all Dakar ral- lies it was a gritty, battered and broken Austra- lian that crossed the finish line first. Bravery and determination saw Toby Price claim his second Dakar title. Riding with a plan to just finish his fifth event, consistency saw Price win overall with just one stage victory to his name. Amazingly Price was riding with a damaged wrist, his right wrist, broken in an accident just a few weeks prior to the start of what is regarded as one of the world’s toughest sporting events and an event that lasts ten days. Right from the start it seemed there was little the reign- ing rally world champion could do but grin and bare the pain as he took off into the dunes of Peru. His rivals set the scene and took to a fast pace, battling for stage victo- ries. It mattered little to Price, he just wanted to finish the 2019 Dakar, yet deep down he was there to win. Pic: F.Le Floc'h / ASO DPPI TRAVERSE 11