Dakar Rally
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Dakar: On motorbikes, Van Beveren takes control in a suspenseful finish
Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) has never been so well classified on the Dakar before the last two stages! © DPPI / Frédéric Le Floc'h
The Dakar on a motorcycle is tough and suspenseful. For the sixth time in the event, the lead in the general classification has changed hands. This Wednesday, January 12, on the antepenultimate stage between Wadi Ad-Dawasir and Bisha (Saudi Arabia), Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) took back control.
The Norman completed the end of the special at full throttle to finish on the heels of Toby Price (KTM), Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) and Joan Barreda (Honda). Title holder Kevin Benavides (KTM) had to give up with emotion, his mount having suffered a mechanical breakdown:
(I.e. @kmbenavides was obviously very disappointed and sad when he had to abandon the stage due to a broken engine. The #1 will not be able to defend his title. 🥺# Dakar2022 pic.twitter.com/8OxbuH3Ji7
- DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 12, 2022
Triple winner of the Enduro du Touquet, Adrien Van Beveren is two days from the finish 4'15'' ahead of Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) and 5'59'' over Sam Sunderland (GasGas), his beau brother. The top 5 is even held in just 8'24'' (Barreda 4th at 6'47'' and Matthias Walkner 5th).
“Since the last Dakar, we have questioned everything with the team, he explained before departure. We increased durability tests with Yamaha throughout the year in order to have the most reliable and competitive motorcycle possible. I also tried to optimize my preparation as much as possible by riding a lot, in Dubai, Kazakhstan, Russia, Morocco and Abu Dhabi.
After my crash at the 2020 Dakar, it was difficult. But this year I have the feeling of having regained confidence and a taste for risk. I still want to achieve my goals at the Dakar, to show my potential and to see the fruit of my work with the team rewarded. »
Among this leading quintet, only Sam Sunderland and Matthias Walkner have experienced the joys of final victory on a Dakar. Extremely fast, Joan Barreda is the biker who has recorded the most stage victories (29) without finishing on the podium, even once!
As for Pablo Quintanilla, he came close to the Touareg trophy in 2020 (2nd). Adrien Van Beveren has never finished a Dakar since his fourth position acquired in 2017, handicapped by several falls and mechanical problems.
General classification :
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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