The Dakar Rally's brutality shows itself in the elimination of top contenders from the race
Today's Stage Nine of the 2021 Dakar Rally was held on the anniversary of Paulo Congalves' tragic accident in 2020's edition. The likable legend lost his life last year on the same date and the entire traveling family of Dakar racers paid tribute to him today with commemorative symbols on their bodies, bikes and in their hearts.
Red Bull KTM's Toby Price was the first racer on the scene of the accident last year. Today, exactly one year later, two-time Dakar Champion Price is forced to abandon his race effort with injuries sustained in a crash. Thankfully, the Australian champion's injuries don't seem to be life threatening, but the elimination of one of the strongest competitors in a brutally tough stage is surely taking its toll on the field mentally as the race drains them physically.
Atrophy in the race has ramped up, consequences are extremely high, time is running out to make up time. This is the Dakar Rally at its most dangerous and unpredictable stages.
In today's episode, we hear from Ricky Brabec who was first on the scene of Price's crash, and get on the phone with Johnny Campbell to ask how the racers and bikes are holding up in the Monster Energy Honda camp.