Pic: Red Bull
“I knew this was serious,” the Australian struggled to
explain. He’d helped get his fellow rider on his side and
start checking for vital signs.
By the time the medical helicopter had arrived, those
in the area had already started CPR. Slovnaft Rally Team
KTM rider Stefan Svitko had also stopped and was ren-
dering help as was the crew of a landed media helicopter.
“We all worked as long as we could,” shaken, Price
went on. “There was nothing we could do.”
Price explained that the remaining 250 kilometres
were the hardest of his life. He’d been the first on the
scene and wanted to be the last with his fellow compet-
itor, his rival, his friend. It was the mark of the man.
Price still had a chance of winning the Dakar, he’d poten-
tially thrown it all away in a selfless act of compassion.
“At the moment I’m not even worried about the result,
I couldn’t care.”
These words started another legend and for many
ended Dakar 2020.
Price’s act grabbed the attention of the sporting world,
social media was filled with words of praise for the Aus-
tralian. Portugal had lost a hero, yet in Goncalves’ spirit
another Dakar legend was born.
“We are deeply overwhelmed with the kindness of
Australia’s son Toby Price,” exclaimed Pedro Pita, a Por-
tuguese citizen. “Words can’t describe how much we are
Pic: F. Flamand
TRAVERSE 13