FIVE-time Hattah Desert Race winner and reigning Dakar Rally champion Toby Price dropped to ninth overall in the motorcycle section after stage two of the iconic event.
After winning the opening stage, the Dakar 2016 and 2019 champion Price endured a day to forget on the ride from Al Wajh to Neom in Saudi Arabia’s north-west and is now just over 7½ minutes from the lead.
“Navigation was really difficult and the conditions were tricky with so many lines to choose from,” Price said through Facebook.
“With such heavy navigation, it leaves you feeling like you’re gambling with your decisions all day, but it makes it interesting for all competitors.
“Starting first is always going to be a disadvantage and today was a day I knew the rest of the field would make time on me.
“I don’t plan on starting first too many more times after my efforts today.”
For stage one, Price was in the advantageous position of being the 23rd rider to enter the day’s stage.
He immediately pushed hard and had the second-fastest time to the first waypoint before encountering a problem with his navigation equipment.
After he came in fastest overall by more than two minutes, a penalty of two minutes took Price’s stage-one win to just five seconds, which did not help in his quest to hold on for day two.
Despite his tough second stage, Price remained optimistic.
“I’m feeling good,” he said.
“The bike is in good shape for tomorrow and I’m looking forward to stage three.”
After two days of riding, Britain’s Sam Sunderland led the overall motorcycle rankings ahead of Chilean Pablo Quintanilla and Kevin Benavides from Argentina.
Stage three, which involves a circuit around Neom, takes place overnight Australian time.
