Debut-making Australian rider Toby Price has cracked the top five in the second stage of the Dakar Rally in Argentina.

The 27-year-old from Maitland clinched fifth place overall for the motorcycle category in the longest stretch of the gruelling event, finishing just 11 minutes and 32 seconds shy of the leader, Spaniard Joan Barreda Bort.

Toby Price before the first stage of the Dakar Rally. Credit:Instagram

The Dakar Rally is the world's toughest off-road race, where drivers cover more than 9000 kilometres through Argentina, Bolivia and Chile over 14 days.

The KTM rider said he was extremely happy with the result, despite getting "cooked" in the dunes on the hottest day yet at 42C.