Dakar Rally Legend Toby Price Parts Ways with KTM After Successful 15-year Partnership
In a surprising turn of events, Australian off-road racing superstar Toby Price has announced the end of his long-standing relationship with Austrian manufacturer KTM following the 2024 Dakar Rally.
“KTM has decided to not renew my contract so Dakar 2024 was my last event with them… I do feel like I’m still in my prime and going out there fighting for wins, especially at Dakar so it’s unfortunate to not have that opportunity to do it in 2025.”
Despite the setback, Price remains grateful for the support KTM has provided throughout his illustrious career:
“I’m really appreciative of the support they gave me in my career. We’ve been able to do some great things together like win two Dakars and get a couple podiums, a World Championship and our success in Australia too.”
The news signals the end of a fruitful relationship that began in 2010 when Price was competing in domestic rally championships in his native Australia. After finding success in Europe and North America aboard KTM machinery, he made his Dakar debut in 2015, securing a stage win and finishing third overall.
The following year, Price achieved a career-defining moment, becoming the first Australian to win the grueling Dakar Rally while riding for the Red Bull-backed KTM Factory Team. He would go on to repeat this feat in 2019, despite battling a wrist injury sustained in the lead-up to the event.
Uncertain Future
Price’s two Dakar victories were the final installments in KTM’s remarkable 19-year winning streak at the legendary rally raid, which was eventually halted by Honda in 2020 when the event shifted to Saudi Arabia.
In recent years, Price has shown a growing interest in four-wheel competition, tackling various Baja events and the Finke Desert Race in Australia, where he has enjoyed consistent success. This diversification of interests, coupled with KTM’s decision not to renew his contract, leaves the future of Price’s Dakar career uncertain.
It remains to be seen whether the seasoned Dakar veteran will join a rival manufacturer to continue his pursuit of off-road glory or make a full-time transition to the cars category in the coming years. Regardless of his next move, Toby Price’s legacy as one of the greatest Dakar Rally competitors of his era is firmly cemented.
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