The Golden Boys

January 1 ^st 2025 - 07:46 [GMT + 3]

Toby Price and Sam Sunderland had long had top billing in the motorbike category, claiming historic Dakar victories as the first winners from Down Under and Blighty, respectively. Now, the two are teaming up to see if they can replicate that success in their second act. Is this the start of an exciting new chapter?

A dynamic duo, thriving in their retirement. Toby Price and Sam Sunderland called time on their illustrious biking careers after each secured two Dakar titles. While they may be sorely missed in the motorbike category, they have made their return to the bivouac, this time as partners in a Toyota Hilux that has already sparked the curiosity of fans. The Australian, who has been focused on his transition to four wheels for several years, was the one to set this partnership in motion with his former KTM teammate. "We were at a training camp and, after a brutal day on the bikes dealing with piles of rocks in freezing cold weather," Sunderland recalls, "we were joking, saying, 'Wouldn’t it be way better to be in a car, nice and warm?' Once I stopped racing bikes, Toby messaged me one day and asked if I wanted to jump in a car with him. I said, 'Let’s do it' and here we are."

Plenty of former motorbike riders have left their mark on the Dakar in cars, including Hubert Auriol, Nani Roma, Stéphane Peterhansel, Cyril Despres and now Laia Sanz, who finished twenty-third in her car debut in 2022. Toby Price is fully embracing the challenge ahead: "We're going to give it everything we've got and aim high. We want to enjoy it, but there's also a lot to learn. A top 10 finish would be a great target to shoot for". Sunderland echoes his driver's ambitions, adding confidence in their compatibility as a crew: "We've spent a huge amount of time together over the last ten years. And we know what Dakar's about —we've both won it twice. I don't think there's ever been a duo like this in a car before. Toby's already got driving experience and I'm solid on the navigation. I think it's a great mix of skills. If we can make it to the finish without too much drama, we'll be in a great position."