He may lead by more than 23 minutes in the motorcycle category of the Dakar Rally, but Australian Toby Price insists there is “no guarantee” he will top the podium when the race finishes in Rosario on Saturday.

Price finished third in stage 10 of the race behind winner Stefan Svitko and second place-getter Kevin Benavides to maintain a commanding overall lead.

In one of the toughest stages of the race so far, Price seized the early initiative.

The three men kept an eye on each other throughout the stage before Svitko’s pace over the dunes proved decisive.

“It was a key stage,” Price said.

“I took it easy because my motorcycle struggled in the heat yesterday.

“I also focused on navigating. Two chaps came from behind and caught up with me, but I can’t complain, it was a good stage.”

Leading Svitko by 23 minutes and 12 seconds overall, Price will now look to minimise risks with three stages remaining.

“I can ride a bit more defensively now, no need to attack to gain time like I did yesterday,” Price said.

“I’ve got some margin, but no guarantee.

“Anything can happen, I’ve got to continue working.

“I must avoid any mistakes or missing waypoints.”

In the car section, Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel won the 10th stage to give him the lead in the overall standings.

The victory moved him to a one-hour overall lead ahead of Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar.