He may have been doing it tough recovering from injuries sustained at the Dakar Rally for much of this year, but Australian fan favourite Toby Price looks set to keep riding at the head of the KTM pack after signing on for another two years with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team.
Price will continue to focus on the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, and of course the Dakar Rally, as he starts his seventh season with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.
“I’m super-excited to sign up for another two years with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team,” Price says.
“It feels like a big family to me and is definitely a home away from home, so another two years with the guys is certainly something I’m looking forward to. Hopefully, I can repay the confidence they have in me by taking another few wins.”
A crash while contesting his seventh consecutive Dakar in 2021 resulted in a shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw from the event. Following a period of rehab and recovery, where the 33-year-old underwent three separate surgeries, the two-time Dakar winner is now close to being ready to start his preparations for racing again.
Aiming for a return to competition this summer in the 2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, Price is looking forward to joining his teammates Sam Sunderland, Matthias Walkner, and newly signed Kevin Benavides aboard his KTM 450 RALLY.
“There really is no other team like Red Bull KTM, they really take good care of us and I really look forward to getting away to the events. The whole team and crew have been a huge part of my racing for the past four or five years, so I’m really happy to still be a part of it, and we’re developing the new bike too, which is going well. My injury seems to be healing well. There were definitely some unwanted complications at first, but now after three surgeries I’m in a much better place. I’d say I’m around 60-70% fit, so not far away from being ready to go. I’m definitely looking forward to getting back on two wheels and racing my bike again. The plan is to get back on the bike as soon as it’s safe to do so and build things up before heading back overseas to do some racing again. The goal over the next two years is to definitely add another Dakar title to my name, and if I can add two, that would be even better!”
“We are pleased to be continuing with Toby for the future and building further on everything we have achieved together,” says Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Jordi Viladoms.
“We know what it takes to accomplish rally success and we look forward to battling for more race victories in the future. Toby is a special rider, and we know there is never any question over his race winning mentality; over the years there have been many memorable moments where Toby’s attitude, approach, and ability to twist the throttle has been unforgettable.”