Adrien Van Beveren: “I think it was better to let them fight it out”

Dakar 2026 | Stage 12 | AL HENAKIYAH > YANBU
January 16 ^th 2026 - 12:47 [GMT + 3]

The French rider approached the penultimate stage by playing it safe and not taking any risks. He remains sixth overall, 1 hour and 6 minutes behind his teammate Ricky Brabec.

 “It was very hard in terms of navigation. I caught Skyler after 50 or 60 km and after that I opened the stage for about 100 km. […] Today, the goal wasn’t to get involved in their battle. I think it was better to let them fight it out. There wasn’t really a specific strategy but there wasn’t a clear instruction to attack today either or to spend too long opening the stage. So, they battled it out between them and I think that’s good for the Dakar. […] I just rode my own race today, calmly, fairly safe because it was tricky terrain. […] Over the last few days, I’ve really felt it and waking up in the morning, or rather at night, has been getting harder and harder. […] But I’m happy to have stayed on my wheels”.