Toby Price Triumphs in the 2023 Rallye du Maroc Amidst Fierce Championship Battle
Morocco – The rugged terrains of the Moroccan Sahara Desert bore witness to an intense conclusion of the 2023 Rallye du Maroc, where Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s star rider Toby Price emerged victorious. However, this win couldn’t propel him to clinch the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship title, finishing just a heartbeat behind by a margin of four points to Luciano Benavides.
Navigating the iconic Merzouga dunes in the final 97 mi (157 km) stage, Price delivered an impeccable performance, sealing his victory in the Rallye du Maroc by a noteworthy three-minute lead. Though he placed sixth in stage five, his consistent performance throughout the rally ensured his top position on the podium.
Despite Price’s commendable efforts, Luciano Benavides’ consistent season run meant that the Australian rally-raid star had to be content with the second spot in the championship rankings.
Reflecting on a year of highs and lows, the two-time Dakar Champion recounted some defining moments. From clinching second place at the Dakar Rally – losing the top spot by a mere 44 seconds – to leading the world championship after the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Price’s journey saw a bit of a setback when a technical glitch at the Desafio Ruta 40 thwarted his championship advantage.
A resilient Price remarked, “The championship is a hard one to swallow, we put up a good fight and did everything we could but 2023 just hasn’t been the greatest season for us. I never gave up and put in 100 percent right to the finish.”
Andreas Hölzl, KTM AG Rally Team Manager, lavished praise on Price. “Toby rode an excellent race to take the win here in Morocco. He has shown incredible pace all season,” said Hölzl. As the dust settles on the 2023 rally season, attention now shifts to the 2024 Dakar Rally, where Price will be eyeing his third victory.
Alongside Price, Matthias Walkner and Kevin Benavides are set to return to FIM World Rally-Raid Championship action in the much-anticipated Dakar Rally come January.
Photos/Videos: KTM Media – Words: Mariano de la Torre
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