“Experience is crucial, that’s why we chose this lineup”
Crew facts
M.v.d.B.
- Martin van den Brink is preparing to make his 18th Dakar outing in the trucks in 2026. After many years of fighting for overall success, the 55-year-old is now focusing his energy on supporting his son Mitchel van den Brink. He took 3rd place in 2024, then 2nd last year; now it’s time to win!
- The Dutchman made his Dakar debut in 2009, finishing 12th overall. He drove several stages that year in traditional wooden shoes (clogs), and jokes that it earned him something of a reputation on the bivouac - "That guy is crazy, he must be from Holland!".
- Martin did Dakar 2019 with Mitchel as his onboard mechanic. At just 16, his son became the youngest ever Dakar competitor. Mitchel then drove an in-race assistance truck for his father in 2021 and 2022, but the roles have since been reversed. Father and son also won the Morocco Desert Challenge 2023 together in an SSV, with Martin behind the wheel.
- In 2023 Martin enjoyed his best Dakar result to date (3rd) as part of Eurol Team De Rooy Iveco - a collaboration between the Van den Brink family team (Eurol Rallysport) and Gerard de Rooy's celebrated outfit. It was an excellent year all round as Mitchel finished 4thand their teammate Janus van Kasteren won the Dakar trucks title.
- Never two without three! The trio he forms with Mouw and Willemsen is reunited for the third time after the 2015 and 2016 editions, ten years ago. Together, they are one of the most experienced crews in the trucks race.
Ambition
M.v.d.B.: “Our sixth place in Dakar 2025 was fine for us, because we were focused on helping Mitchel (van den Brink) as much as possible. His goal was to finish on the podium and that’s exactly what happened. After that, we spent some time in Morocco, taking second place in the Morocco Desert Challenge in the trucks category, and preparing for Dakar 2026. Experience is crucial in a rally like Dakar. That’s why we deliberately chose this lineup for 2026. It’s great that we, as the experienced crew, can line up alongside the younger guys. It creates balance. Our strategy will remain the same: to help Mitchel finish first in the trucks category. We’ve worked hard, and I think the Eurol Rallysport team deserved to win.”
