Watch daily extended 52-minute highlights from the 2024 edition of the Dakar Rally exclusive and free - available earlier each morning via - plus a daily 15-minute mini recap and more from January 6-20.
Price led the bikes category going into the final stage of the 2023 rally but fell agonisingly short after being overtaken by his Red Bull KTM teammate, Kevin Benavides.
Benavides’ late burst left Price 43 seconds adrift of what would have been a third title in the desert, but rather than let it deter his ambition, the Australian appears more focused than ever.
“We’re really looking forward to Dakar,” KTM Rally team manager Andreas Holzl said, per Speedcafe. “The bikes are ready to go and from a technical point of view, we’re really well prepared.
“Toby is hugely motivated of course. He had a really strong 2023 season and is in good shape, well trained and fully focused on Dakar.”
Meanwhile, Benavides remains under an injury cloud following a small crash, with Holzl confident the defending champion can return to full fitness by the start of Stage 1 on January 5.
For Price, however, it’s full steam ahead for what will be his 10th appearance at the world’s toughest off-road race, and ninth as part of the KTM factory team.
During that span the 36-year-old has managed two overall victories and three third-placed finishes to go with second place last season – an impressive feat given how hard it is to complete the near-8,000km course.
“Dakar is like no other race,” Price said. “For sure, the riding is hard work, fun, and exhausting, but I love the way everyone comes together to complete the race.
“Dakar is like my second family, so it’s always good to see everyone get ready for the race and get my competitive side back going again.
“I’m in a good place physically and the bike is good – we’re definitely ready to race Dakar 2024.”
The 2024 edition will return to Saudi Arabia with a prologue on January 5 before concluding on January 19 following 12 gruelling stages and one rest day.
