Forced to open the road this Thursday during the 11th stage of the Dakar around Bisha (346 km), Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) lost his position as leader at the end of a trying day. “
At kilometer 4, I looked for a waypoint that didn't open… I'm not sure it was in the right place. I gave up a lot of time, it got on my nerves and I left completely. I was at 200% and I got a few heats, so I calmed down a bit, and then I almost ran out of gas as well. The penalty is heavy, but I really gave everything. Of course, the guys in front didn't try to help me. I have no regrets
”, explained the French driver, now 4th and relegated to 15'30 behind the new leader,Sam Sunderland (Gasgas).
2nd in the day's test won by Kevin Benavides (KTM), the Briton almost 8 minutes ahead of the Chilean Pablo Quintanilla (Honda, 6'52 + 1 'penalty) before the last special on Friday.
“
The race is not over until the checkered flag is crossed.
I will therefore try to make a clean stage again tomorrow and I hope that will do it
, ”commented the Englishman looking for a second title in the Dakar after the first in 2017. The Austrian Matthias Walkner (KTM) is 3rd at 7'15 from the lead.