Dakar Rally 2016 Stage 9 Results
For the fifth time in the Dakar Rally 2016, Red Bull KTM’s Toby Price achieved victory. The KTM 450 Rally pilot not only earned the win – he also extended his lead in the overall standings.
Tuesday’s Dakar Rally 2016 Stage 9 was cut short due to extreme heat, and only 12 riders finished. Joining Price on the podium was Team HRC Honda’s Ricky Brabec of America, who crossed the line 12:29 minutes behind, and KTM’s Antoine Meo of France, who finished 13:24 behind.
The shorten stage also changed the character of the race. Team HRC Honda’s Paolo Goncalves had mechanical issues, which originally would have pushed him behind, but due to the shortened race, he remains in the top of the overall competition.
After nine of 13 states, Goncavles is now third overall, 34 minutes behind Price. In second, 29 minutes back, is KTM’s Stefan Svitko.
Speaking of stage nine, Price says “Other than that, we’ve had a fairly decent day, a fairly solid day. It was just good that we didn’t get lost. It was definitely tricky navigation today. I still feel solid, I still feel really good. It’s definitely hot right now at the moment, but we’ll suit up again, get going, get some air flowing and it shouldn’t be too bad. It’s been a good day.
“It’s job done today, but everyone’s got lucky since we’ve stopped at CP1 and CP2. The bike seems really good, really strong and still going really well. The mechanics have done a really good job over the lead-up to the race and during the event. I think we’re cruising along alright.”
KTM reports that there will There will be a special start to Wednesday’s stage with the ten fastest riders and cars beginning the stage from the CP 2 of Tuesday’s stage. They have a difficult ride in the notorious Fiambalá dunes and this stage has been considered as one of the most critical and decisive sections of this year’s race. All being well, this could also be the right territory for Price, who at home in Australia, has a formidable record of wins in the country’s desert classics.
Dakar Rally 2016 Stage 9 Results:
1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 3 hours 26 minutes 58 seconds
2. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, +12 minutes 29
3. Antoine Meo (FRA), KTM, +13:24
4. Stefan Svitko (SVK), KTM, +14:45 min
5. Adrien van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, +15:54
Dakar Rally 2016 Stage 9 Overall Results:
1. Price, 30 hours 55 minutes 54
seconds
2. Svitko, +28:59 min (1-min penalty)
3. Paolo Goncalves (POR), Honda, +34:01
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Husqvarna, +38:41
5. Meo, +42:08