Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has just won the fifth and final stage of the 2019 Rally du Maroc. The rider is the team’s highest-placed rider for the Rally du Maroc after all five stages. Toby Price is at fourth place trailing behind Husqvarna’s Andrew Short and Pablo Quintanilla and Monster Energy Hona’s Joan Barreda.
The 2019 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion Sam Sunderland, on the other hand, had to retire from the Rally du Maroc following a crash on Stage Two. Despite that, the rider is in good condition as there were no serious injuries.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will return to action at the 2020 Dakar Rally. The event held in Saudi Arabia from January 5 to 17. The riders are already optimistic about their position.
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“It hasn’t been a bad rally for me, I only just missed out on the podium, which is frustrating, but it’s been really good training. I knew I had to push really hard on that last stage and was making up good time but then had a small crash and gave myself a bit of a stiff neck. I missed out on the podium by just seven seconds but all-in-all I’m pleased with how I rode. Navigation was really tricky here and we had to learn to ride with the minimum of information. I’m hoping that will put us in a good position for January and the Dakar Rally,” says Toby Price as quoted from KTM Factory Racing.
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“It has been a really good rally for me, I finished sixth overall and first in the Junior Class. It’s been the ideal rally to build my confidence ahead of Dakar and get use to the new roadbook system. I’m really pleased with my rhythm – I was always in a good position and trying to take the fight to the top guys. My times are not too far off now so I’m really happy and looking forward to Dakar.”
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“Although the result wasn’t quite what I had hoped for I think the rally has gone pretty well. I won the Prologue and we had some really good pace on the bike in all the different types of terrain. The new system with the roadbook is good. It will add a new element to the racing. Although I think the details have to be accurate as each day anyone opening the stage seems to lose a lot of time at the moment. Overall, I am happy with how the event went, I’ll spend some time now to rest and then I’m all in again with training for Dakar.”
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“It’s been a really tough rally, but I am happy to finish safely. I perhaps didn’t get the result I was hoping for. Although we were able to do some good training and test many things on the bike. I’m really happy with the suspension setting we found and we made a number of other improvements, too. I’m ready to train hard until Dakar.”