Image: Supplied.

Toby Price has expressed his third place finish at the 2020 Dakar Rally is a rewarding result following what was a courageous campaign.

The two-time Dakar champion was first to the scene of an incident involving Paulo Goncalves during stage seven, who despite the initial assistance of Price and later medical staff, sadly passed away.

The popular Australian pressed on in the rally, admitting his head was never in the right place following his heroics as he wound up on the podium for the fifth time out of six attempts.

“I’m really happy with another podium at the Dakar – every time I’ve made it to the finish at this event I’ve got onto the podium,” Price explained. “So far, I’m either a number one or a number three guy. The most important thing is to be here safely at the finish. Obviously, we came here to win, but it just wasn’t our year.

“Stage seven is one that I’ll remember forever, for Paulo, but not for a good reason, and just since then my head hasn’t been a 100 percent.

“But we’re at the finish line safe – I’m going to be able to go home and just think these things over, and come back hopefully bigger and stronger next year.”

The Dakar Rally was won by American Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda Rally Team), who put an end to KTM’s 18-year winning streak.