Price extends lead on Stage 11 - Dakar 2016

Price finished stage 11 behind Frenchman Antoine Meo by a mere 18 seconds, with the Frenchman taking out the stage in the time of 5 hours, 19 minutes.

Despite not taking out the stage Price was handed a lifeline as his closest competitor Svitko, who is third overall in the bike class, finished a dismal seventh and 12 minutes behind Meo in the day’s proceedings.

Price spoke about the conditions, which were stifling as the round took place across sand flats and open desert, but maintained confidence heading forward into the final two days of the event.

"It's been hard on the bikes today. There's been a lot of hot weather, the bike is still going really well, there's no water leaking or anything.

"It still feels strong, so we're in a good spot."

The day was also marred by early leader Paulo Goncalves crashing out proceedings early on and retiring from the rest of this year’s competition from the heavy fall.

Price leads Svitko by 35 minutes, then Antoine Meo sits in third 43 minutes in a rears. The Chilean Quintanilla is fourth whilst Argentinian Kevin Benavides is in fifth.

The rally has two more stages and will conclude on Saturday.