Dakar 2016: Goncalves Crashes and Loses Consciousness, Rookie Meo Wins Stage 11

KTM rider Toby Price put in another incredible performance to take the stage win and build a comprehensive lead over Honda rival Paulo Goncalves who had an impact to his radiator that lost the Spaniard precious time. He’s more than 37 minutes ahead of Svitko at the end of Stage 12.

The rally has two more stages and will conclude on Saturday.

Helder Rodriguez won the penultimate stage of the Dakar Rally on Friday for his first victory in the 38th edition of race. If he wins tomorrow, Toby Price will be the first Australian rider to win the Dakar, and definitively enter into the rally’s history.

On two wheels, Toby Price and Antoine Meo (KTM/Michelin) made a decision to ride together and the Frenchman dutifully waited for the provisional leader, even if that seriously dented his chances of catching third-placed Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna).

The stage around Belen in Argentina was halted due to the extreme heat, but it was completed on Wednesday and Price, on a KTM, was declared the victor as he extended his overall lead. The Chilean Quintanilla is fourth whilst Argentinian Kevin Benavides is in fifth.

Victory however is not guaranteed until the final finish line is crossed in Rosario on Sunday. After that I had a big crash because I didn’t see well in the dust, but after the refueling I was better in the navigation and it was really great. “We’re another day closer, but for sure, it’s been a hard one”. “I was doing a quiet stage just to finish We got into a riverbed and I let Viladoms pass me. My mistake was that I did a full doughnut on the dirt-bike and dropped the bike because it was full of fuel and pretty heavy and that resulted in bent handlebars, which I was annoyed about, but I’m glad to be here”.

Price said it had been tough day, where there was a 450km liaison section to ride before they reached the start of the timed special. I fixed it quite quickly but they had got past me so I just sat there for a while. The day’s special stage was also shortened by around 30 kilometres for the same reason.