Dakar rally rider, Toby Price is indeed a legend as he finished Stage 8 of the rally on a tyre that was held in place by cable ties, a quick-fix to sort out the issue then and there helped him achieve the impossible.
The Red Bull rider, Toby Price managed to secure a safe second place on a 709 km stage, losing only 1:05 seconds to overall leader Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo.
The two riders had a difference of only a second in the general classification after Stage 7, the first part of the 'marathon stage' during which competitors cannot get any kind of assistance or service except from each other.
However, The new rule implemented in Dakar 2021 does not allow the riders to help each other to the extent that they can provide or swap tyres, if this was not the case, Price probably would have attempted to get help from a team-mate or a rider from the sister Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Team.
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Instead of considering taking the 30-minute penalty for seeking help, the two-time champion took to wrapping the gash in the tyre with tape and cable ties.
Toby Price said that the cable ties held up well enough for him to lead in much of the 'marathon special' between Sakaka and Neom, and make the finish line slower than only Cornejo.
Today I tried to fix as much as I could and when I got to refuel at 229km I saw I still had a solo zip tie on! I didn’t think I would make it to the finish, let alone 2nd in stage and still be 2nd overall!#Dakar2021pic.twitter.com/jMp9Yk6Z4z
— Toby Price (@tobyprice87) January 11, 2021
"It's been a really tough couple of days for me," said Price.
"I damaged my tyre yesterday and of course, not being allowed to change it, I had to repair it as best I could for today and hope it held up.
"I rode a good stage, but all the while I was trying to be as smooth as possible - not accelerate too hard in case the issue got worse. Second on the day is not bad at all, I lost a little more time to the rally leader, but I’m just glad I got to the finish line."
Toby Price's fellow KTM rider Daniel Sunderland struggled his way up to secure 7th place on Stage 8 after his crash a day earlier. It was a good enough effort from Sunderland.
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Cross your fingers and toes for me today guys... the bush mechanic is back in action! 🤞🇦🇺
— Toby Price (@tobyprice87) January 11, 2021
🎥 @redbullmotors#Dakar2021pic.twitter.com/yghif7TWWe
With Xavier de Soultrait crashing out of the event, Sanders moved up one spot to eighth in the general classification, 22:40s off the lead.
"I struggled to focus a little today, I think I was a little tired from yesterday and the crash I had," admitted the rookie.
"Thankfully I didn't have any major problems, I just tried to put in a solid ride through the stage.
"I'm glad I'm here at the finish near enough in one piece.
"Both me and the bike have certainly had a tough couple of days, but we’ll get fixed up now and look ahead to the rest of the race."
Stage 9 is a 579 km loop around Neom, of which 465 km is timed.
