“I love the adrenalin the Dakar is giving you”
CREW FACTS
W.D.G.
- William is one of the two owners of De Groot Fresh Group, a leading international business in fruit and vegetables. He shares it with his brother Ben, and they have something else in common: a strong passion for motorsports! He has participated in six Dakar since 2017, keeping the tradition of having Dutch truck drivers on the race.
- The Dutch businessman has already come close to the Top 10 (14th in 2021), showing that he not only knows how to drive a company, but also a truck! He has done all the Saudi editions except 2023, where he had to take a rest after his heart stopped the previous year. As a survivor, William is enjoying every moment, every opportunity, life is giving to him.
- William is able to overcome pain and he has proven it, completing some Dakar despite a nasty shoulder injury he sustained in 2020. He finally had surgery and has half his bicep left, but the strength is still there.
- The 2024 edition was not an easy one. William had an accident in the dunes, then he tried to continue to help other teams. Other mechanical problems occurred, including a fuel shortage. A hand infection eventually forced him to retire for the first time in Saudi Arabia. He’s back in 2025 to seek the finisher's medal.
K.H.
- Koen is a Dakar lover, and more specifically a truck lover. He started watching the race when he was twelve… and has never stopped since! He already gave his passion to his son, who has a room full of rally-raid posters!
- A talented mechanic, the Dutchman started on the Dakar being very young, only 21 years old in 2017. He worked in the service crew of a team and gained experience over the editions. The 2025 race will be his first as a competitor. Officially, he will be navigator for William de Groot, but you can also count on him to repair the truck if necessary!
2025 AMBITION
W.d.G.: “Dakar 2024 was a difficult one. It’s a long story but I want to thank the organisation and the medical team, it has been perfect. After the damages of last year, I’m ready to start again and really excited to be among the drivers. Sport is a way of life, and I love the adrenalin Dakar is giving you. The most important is to cross the finish line in Shubaytah. Even if I am the last one, I don’t care! The boys have been very busy to prepare the truck and they did a very good job to rebuild it. The people on our team have their jobs, they spend hours on the truck when they have time and, on the Dakar, so I'm very grateful to them.”
K.H.: “Doing the Dakar has always been a dream, so I’m very happy to go there for the first time as a competitor. I didn’t expect to do it as a navigator. I work as a mechanic, so let’s say there will be two mechanics in the truck! We want to finish the race, go as fast as possible and just have a good time.”
