Frans Verhoeven title candidate Dakar 2010?!
Frans Verhoeven is the man we should keep an eye on. Last edition, the first time in South America, the Brabander rode well to eighth place in the final standings. Frans was proud to put the number eight on his BMW G450X (FV001R – Frans Verhoeven 001 Replica), which he will be driving this year.
Intensive preparations
Because things are not easy financially everywhere, Frans and his supporters had to put in a lot of effort to get the budget together, but thanks to the sponsor initiative 'Club of 1000' everything worked out perfectly. Frans has been working on the BMW of dealer Bert Duursma since March 2009. So far everything has been going smoothly, but the FV001R has not yet put any real competition kilometers under its tires, which will provide extra excitement. The Beemer has already completed quite a few fault-free test bench kilometers and many drivers have preceded it in testing the BMW in tough rallies and enduro tests. Just think of Andreas Lettenbichler who managed to tame 'the iron giant' in the tough Erzbergrodeo in Austria. In addition, 'Franske' will be working with a standard copy that has only been fitted with a different exhaust. So it shouldn't be a problem mechanically.
High expectations
Frans Verhoeven will no longer be able to take the position as underdog. After his performance last year (8th) and two stage victories, he is now one of the big boys, or the elite riders. So we at least expect that Frans will uphold the honor of the low countries and will have to deal with the factory riders such as Coma and Despres. The proof that Verhoeven wants to give 100% is the cancellation of all other competitions in order to fully concentrate on the preparations of himself, the motorcycle and the team.
Back to Africa?
We just learned that there is a chance that the move to South America will be short-lived because the Dakar Rally could return to its roots in Africa in 2011. Director Etienne Lavigne of the desert rally: “In 2010 we will be in Argentina and Chile again, but Africa should not be forgotten.” Until 2007, the Dakar Rally was always held in North Africa, with the Sahara as the executioner and the Senegalese capital Dakar traditionally as the finishing place. In 2008, the organization canceled the rally at the last minute. Terror groups are said to have targeted the caravan. For that reason, the rally moved to safer South America in 2009.
MXM is already united behind Frans Verhoeven and the other Belgian and Dutch participants. Of course, we will pay a lot of attention to the mother of all rally raids in the coming weeks.
Credit photos: www.fransverhoeven.com & A. Chaco / With thanks to André Jansens
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