The hard work and focus paid off, with Price earning 47 seconds in bonus, enough to clinch the stage win and close in to within one minute of a top-three placing in the overall standings. With one day left to race, Toby sits fourth overall but will open tomorrow’s 139-kilometre timed special, leading to the finish at San Luis.
Toby Price: “It’s been a bit of a chaotic day, there was a note in the road book where the directions didn’t match the cap heading. I didn’t have any problems, but I know a few did, so it’ll be a bit of a messy day results-wise. Still, my day has gone well, and I was pushing the whole way. I caught Ricky (Brabec) in the worse place possible – through all the fesh fesh and silt beds, so I couldn’t see nothing! After I got past him, I pushed on, just trying to do my best for the championship standings. One day to go, so I’ll keep things safe and try and stay on two wheels.”
Delivering a calculated and consistent ride on the fast and broken pistes of today’s stage worked well for Matthias Walkner. The Austrian racer maintained a top-five position all the way to the finish, where he clocked in just two minutes and 59 seconds behind teammate Price, despite not collecting any bonuses. Matthias now provisionally lies in fifth place with just Friday’s stage left to go.
Matthias Walkner: “It was strange one today – they gave us the correct drawing for one note on the road book, but the wrong cap. I managed to get through ok, but a few other riders lost time there. It was a super-fast stage today, so I didn’t feel so comfortable pushing hard, I did my best, but made sure I didn’t make any stupid mistakes. I probably lost a little time over the whole of the stage, but I’m happy to get back safely and look ahead to tomorrow.”
Despite losing time early on after the issue with an incorrect road book note, Kevin Benavides regrouped and put in an excellent final stint on the stage. As his strength and confidence builds, so does his speed, with the reigning Dakar Champion eyeing up a strong final day in Mexico tomorrow to finish his Sonora Rally on a high.
Kevin Benavides: “I felt good today – much stronger than yesterday in fact. Unfortunately, I was one of the riders who was affected by the wrong cap in the road book. I followed it correctly, but of course, the cap heading itself was wrong. After that issue, I had to reset my mind and start again. I pushed quite hard after the refueling and made up some good time. More importantly maybe, I felt really good on the bike and was able to keep to a nice, fast rhythm. I’m looking forward to tomorrow now and hopefully a good, solid finish.”
Provisional Results – 2023 Sonora Rally, Stage 4
1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 2:33:21
2. Tosha Schareina (ESP), Honda, 2:33:44 +0:23
3. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 2:34:13 +0:52
4. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 2:35:01 +1:40
5. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 2:36:20 +2:59
Other KTM
13. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 2:41:44 +8:23
Provisional Standings – 2023 Sonora Rally (after 4 of 5 stages)
1. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 9:47:08
2. Tosha Schareina (ESP), Honda, 9:52:50 +5:42
3. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 10:01:31 +14:23
4. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 10:02:10 +15:02
5. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 10:06:02 +18:54
Other KTM
11. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 10:20:03 +32:55
