Bikes

Toby Price has edged closer to the lead of the Dakar Rally despite an eighth position finish in Stage 5.

The KTM rider has dropped a position to fourth overall but is just over a minute closer to top spot at 3:21s back from Ricky Brabec, as the front-runners in the Bikes increasingly close together.

Price nevertheless continues to experience discomfort from his fractured wrist.

“It was a really tough day for me today,” he wrote on social media.

“My pace today was good but I cased out on one drop and that put a lot of strain through my wrist again.

“Happy to have a rest day now!”

Ben Young (KTM) dropped slightly to 75th overall while fellow rookie James Ferguson (KTM) went the other way to 95th.

Cars

Having been added to the withdrawal list after a transmission-related problem prevented them from making the end of Stage 4, the Holden ute team headed up by driver Steve Riley and co-driver Trevor Hanks is aiming to repair their vehicle and rejoin under half marathon provisions after the rest day.

“Only 52 cars left and under the regulations the ute can restart after the rest day with some form of penalty so they are pulling the car apart now to see if it is fixable,” an associate of the crew reported on social media.

Quads

John Maragozidis (Yamaha) has improved two positions to 16th in Quads after setting the 12th-fastest time of the day.

CLICK HERE for Stage 5 full report.

CLICK HERE for Stage 5 Bikes report.