Verhoeven: “My life has changed” Pure talent and huge generosity. Frans Verhoeven arrived on the 2005 edition of the Dakar with these two assets even if his reputation as an honest Enduro specialist had preceded him. Two weeks later, the Dutchman finished the race 16th. This result was enough to draw the attention of the prestigious KTM-Gauloises team that decided to find the most valorous team mates for their top riders Cyril Despres and Isidre Esteve in the 2006 edition. Because of some contractual problems and some administrative delays, the deal could not be made right away. This did not prevent Frans from completing his second Dakar. He finished 26th although his Yamaha had a series of mechanical problems which hampered his race: “I had loads of problems on this Dakar but thanks to this situation I could prove my persistence. I was 104th on the rest day and I finished 26th and arrived 5th in the last special. This must have impressed KTM”.
Frans is also a patient man and while he waited for some news from KTM, he started working again as a plasterer, “to feed his family”. Heinz Kinigadner called him in the summer 2006 and offered him a job as a support rider for Cyril Despres on the Dakar: “I was so happy that I asked him three times if it was really true. This has changed my life”. Indeed, Frans quickly put away his trowels and started his fulltime job as a motorbike racer. His first full-scale test was on the UAE Desert Challenge in Dubai: “I finished 6th and remained close to Cyril during the whole race. IT was really perfect, I truly fulfilled my mission”. Eric Bernard, the KTM – Gauloise Team Manager, actually had no doubts whatsoever about the ability of his new recruit. Verhoeven is courageous and speaks perfect French. And he really distinguishes himself for his ability in mechanics, which can be very useful on the track. In other words, the perfect support rider.