DIRT NEWS
HONDA AND ADRIEN VAN BEVEREN WIN ADDC
Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren has been crowned winner of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge , after a gruelling five-day ride through the desert . After two of the Rally Raid World Championships ’ leading riders withdrew before the start of the race due to injury , the field seemed wide open for any of the major teams to secure victory and those all-important points on the way to the FIM World Championship . When the dust settled after the fifth and final stage , Van Beveren stood atop the timesheets ahead of Husqvarna ’ s Luciano Benevides and KTM ’ s Toby Price . “ It feels really good to win , for me as a rider and also for the team that invested in me ,” says Van Beveren . “ It was a bit frustrating not to be on the podium in the last Dakar being so close . Now coming here and winning the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge just some weeks after the Dakar is a great feeling . This is very important for me and for the team to keep the motivation . For sure , I will keep on working to get more victories , but now is time to taste and enjoy the moment . Really happy with the
atmosphere and spirit in the team , it is fantastic when you can win and have fun at the same time .” After putting in day after day of impressive rides at this year ’ s ADDC , including two stage wins , Luciano Benavides arguably delivered his best performance of the event by leading out the 206-kilometre final timed special for the final day of the rally . With the top five separated by just seven minutes going into the final day , and Benavides trailing the leader by just under three minutes , the Argentinian knew he would have to pull out all the stops . Following a delayed start due to fog , Benevides set off into the stage , leaving behind tracks in the sand that his rivals could follow . Such was the 27-year-old ’ s progress over the open desert , although he was eventually caught , he maintained a strong pace from the front to ultimately complete the special in seventh place , under five minutes behind the eventual stage winner after well over two hours of racing . Overjoyed with his result , Benavides now looks ahead to round three of the championship where he hopes to carry his momentum into Mexico .
14 KIWI RIDER