It has been a day of battling for Australian Dakar rookie Toby Price after a 16th place finish at the completion of the fourth stage of the rally overnight, from Chilecito to Copiapó, Chile.
This comes after devastating news that Polish rider Michal Hernik (no. 82) was found dead on the selective section of the third stage of the Dakar Rally between San Juan and Chilecito, 206 kilometres into the stage.
The circumstances surrounding his death have yet to be determined, as the competitor did not show any external signs of an accident, more to come on this incident.
Tragedy hits #Dakar2015 as Polish rider is found dead on third stage. Full story: http://t.co/WLW2vIauCL pic.twitter.com/hy8VUNCqWh
— FOX MOTORSPORT (@Fox_Motorsport) January 7, 2015
Spaniard Joan Barreda Bort took the fourth stage win in Copiapó and extended his lead in the epic race, ahead of fellow countryman and defending champion Marc Coma, while Chilean Pablo Quintanilla finished third.
It was the final day for KTM Factory rider Sam Sunderland who had such a great start with a stage win on the opening day. Sam crashed at the 59 km point in Stage Four and fell hard on his shoulder. He was dizzy and was unable to continue. X-Rays have subsequently indicated some slight ligament damage but nothing is broken and no serious injury.
Sam Sunderland – 20150104_082056 by Dakar
Price’s inexperience in Dakar navigation lead the KTM rider to become lost early in the 315km special. “I got lost following the crest of a hill,” he said, dropping to an indicated 68th overall before climbing his way to the top 20.
Price is now placed seventh overall in the Dakar Rally
Despite the error, Price remains positive and is committed to learning from his mistakes, “It’s all a learning curve,” he said, “I knew today would be a little worse results because of the conditions, but all in all, I’m at the finish.
“I can take a few points from today,” he said.
The Finke champion limited the damage to less than 20 minutes behind stage leader Bort, only conceding one place overall in the race, less than 90 seconds behind Quintanilla, who moved to sixth place.
Day five in the Dakar Rally sees competitors travel from Copiapó to Antofagasta will see the first of the rare occasions in which Car, Truck, Bike and ATV categories will all compete upon the same Special Stage of 458km.
.@tobyprice87 holds 7th on Dakar Rally despite making a navigational error. http://t.co/xNkIawR9Wd #Dakar2015 pic.twitter.com/yDwJMNB4Ry
— FOX MOTORSPORT (@Fox_Motorsport) January 8, 2015
Another impressive result for @TobyPrice87 on a tragic third day of Dakar Rally. http://t.co/WLW2vIauCL #Dakar2015 pic.twitter.com/XAfm70z6Hi
— FOX MOTORSPORT (@Fox_Motorsport) January 7, 2015
There’s not always an award. But there’s always a reward. Today was hot, 42 degrees! Photo | @dakar pic.twitter.com/5nsS9asWDt
— Toby Price (@tobyprice87) January 5, 2015
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