Adrien Van Beveren: “I’m really liking the navigation at the moment”

Dakar 2022 | Stage 2 | YANBU > ALULA
January 3 ^rd 2022 - 13:11 [GMT + 3]

The Yamaha rider displayed his navigational skills at the front of the stage and is ideally placed in the overall classification, 2’51’’ behind the new leader Sam Sunderland.

“What a crazy day. The beginning was really fast and sandy. I took the time at refuelling and saw that I was okay, but Sam was catching me big time and in front of me it was more or less the same. I was catching the opener but not so much. So, I told myself my goal is to respect my navigation, to adapt my speed to my navigation. I really like to navigate and read the roadbook and that’s why I race this rally. And it works well! After the refuelling, they didn’t get the right route, but I had seen it. I went on my own and Sam came with me, and we opened all the rest of the stage which was a nice feeling, when you start in fourth and you arrive leading, it’s nice. I’m not checking the overall classification now, it’s too early, just taking it day-by-day and giving it my best. I really want to be focused on my navigation. For sure, on some days there may be no big issue, but I want to try to avoid making big mistakes, be focused on that and I’m really liking the navigation at the moment. I accept to slow down and that isn’t easy when you’re racing”.