After fifth on stage one, Toby Price entered stage two looking to close the gap on the rally leader. Due to the varied and often difficult-to-read terrain of the special delivery, Price used his vast skill and experience to carefully traverse the blind slopes of the dunes without taking any risks on his KTM 450 RALLY. During the first half of the marathon segment of the race, riders are only allowed to work on the machines for 30 minutes, so bike maintenance is very important.
Toby finished the stage in eighth, just four minutes behind the eventual winner and is now sixth. However, with the top six separated by just four minutes in the provisional overall rally standings, and with Price looking forward to his late entry into the grid for Wednesday’s 303km third stage, the Australian is preoccupied with making the time to catch up The leader of the race.
Toby Price: “Second stage has been good, but like yesterday I was struggling to read the terrain and find a good rhythm. The dunes were very similar to the first stage, some had big drops in the distance and others were just Rolled really well. It seemed like every time I tried to go down and attack I found one of the dunes with a big drop and it took a bit of a confidence hit. My speed was still good and I was playing well, I Just have to stay focused and keep going. Physically I feel good and the bike is perfect for the first half of the marathon segment. So everything is fine and can go ahead by tomorrow.”
Provisional Results – Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Stage 2 2023
1. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 3:24:50
2. Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 3:26:07 +1:17
3. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 3:26:34 +1:44
4. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 3:27:08 +2:18
5. Adrien Van Beveren (France), Honda, 3:27:59 +3:09
Other KTMs
6. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 3:28:11 +3:21
8. Toby Price (Australia), KTM, 3:28:57 +4:07
10. Paul Lucci (Italy), KTM, 3:36:06 11:16
Provisional Rankings – Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023, through 2 of 5 stages
1. Adrien Van Beveren (France), Honda, 7:10:30
2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 7:12:00 +1:30
3. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 7:13:57 +3:27
4. Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 7:13:58 +3:28
5. Ross Branch (BWA), Hero, 7:14:24 +3:54
Other KTMs
6. Toby Price (Australia), KTM, 7:14:29 +3:59
9. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 7:22:00 +11:30
10. Paolo Lucci (Italy), KTM, 7:39:25 +28:55