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Posted: 2023-01-15 11:04:37

Australian Toby Price has come agonisingly close to taking the Dakar Rally motorcycle event in Saudi Arabia.

Holding the lead going into the final stage, Price was beaten into second place on Sunday, finishing 43 seconds behind Argentine rider Kevin Benavides.

Benavides, the 2021 champion on two wheels, won the final 14th stage to Dammam for Red Bull KTM, with teammate Price 55 seconds behind.

American Skyler Howes finished third overall for the Husqvarna factory team.

With the starting order for the final stage based on reverse overall classification, Benavides was 89th to set off and Price followed three minutes later in 90th on the road.

Mud at 29km caused some riders to get stuck but Benavides and Price got through without incident.

Price, a two-time Dakar winner, slipped to fourth before fighting his way back into the stage.

Kevin Benavides shakes hands with Skyler Howes
Kevin Benavides accepts the congratulations of third-placed Skyler Howes.(Reuters: Hamad I Mohammed)

"The first point is disappointment. We've come so far, but look, Kevin's done a great job," said Price, who had to turn back for two missed waypoints that cost him the race.

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