DAKAR REACHES HALFWAY POINT
W
ill this be the year KTM is
dethroned in the Dakar
Rally? With their lead rider and de-
fending champion Sam Sunder-
land out, the ever-dominant Red
Bull KTM Rally Team hasn't held
the lead since stage 1. But as any
seasoned rally racer (or fan) well
knows, there is a lot left to play for
with the race only half over.
After eight stages in the 2018
Dakar Rally, only 22 seconds
separate the dueling Honda
and Yamaha riders out front.
Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally
Team's rising star Adrien Van
Beveren has shown his mettle,
and that of his WR450F Rally by
maintaining a slight lead in four
out of the last five stages. With
the help of his teammate Xavier
de Soultrait, Van Beveren has
remained strong and consis-
tent, even with the heavy task of
opening the track.
Hot on his heels is Mon-
ster Energy Honda rider Kevin
Benavides. The Argentinian
held the overall lead for the first
time in his career after stage 6
(also marking the first time an
Argentine rider has led the Dakar
Rally), and received a hero's
welcome in La Paz, Bolivia,
where riders arrived for their rest
day. Benavides and Van Beveren
remain locked in a tight battle for
the lead, their rivalry drawing the
attention of rally fans worldwide.
"It's going to be a big fight
for the win," vowed Benavides.
"Adrien and I have a great rela-
tionship. We're rivals on the track
and good friends off of it. It's
quite fun."
IN
THE
WIND
P36
Yamaha factory rider
Adrien Van Beveren
(pictured) remains
locked in a tight
battle for the lead
in the Dakar Rally
with Honda's Kevin
Benavides.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
YAMALUBE
YAMAHA
OFFICIAL
RALLY
TEAM
