En resumen

• 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 another thing in common: a strong passion for motorsports! William has participated in seven Dakar Rallies since 2017, continuing the tradition of Dutch truck drivers competing in the race.
• The Dutch businessman finished 10th in 2025, showing that he not only knows how to run a company, but also a truck! He has also proven his resilience, completing some editions despite a serious shoulder injury sustained in 2020. He has competed in all Saudi editions except 2023, when he had to take a break after his heart stopped during the previous year. As a survivor, he enjoyed every moment and every opportunity that life gives him.
• The 2024 race was far from easy. William had an accident in the dunes, then he continued with the aim of helping other teams. Mechanical problems, including a fuel shortage, added to the challenge. A hand infection eventually forced him to retire for the first time in Saudi Arabia. He took his revenge in 2025, overcoming numerous incidents (broken suspension, a broken stabilizer bar that pushed the front axle back by 15 cm, a damaged 4x4 controller and rack, multiple flat tires…) to earn his fifth finisher’s medal. And will chase a sixth in 2026.

• 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 has already passed on his passion to his son, whose room is full of rally‑raid posters.
• A talented mechanic, the Dutchman began his Dakar career at a very young age, only 21 years old in 2017. He started in the service crew of a team, gaining experience over successive editions. While this work was already a dream for him, he lived another in 2025 by entering the race as a competitor. Officially, he served as navigator for William de Groot, but you could also count on him to repair the truck whenever needed.
• Koen earned William’s trust, as the driver explains: "I had a few disagreements with him, but in the end, he was right. That gives me confidence. While others followed the wrong route, he took an untraveled path, even though I was saying we should follow the others, and he reached the waypoint. A nice stubborn guy who made a perfect kick-off as a navigator!" No surprise he’s back in 2026!

• Remon van der Steen earned his stripes as a mechanic with the De Groot Sport truck team. He made his debut as a competitor in 2022 alongside William de Groot. The following year, he assisted Ad Hofmans for the team while William was absent, before returning with the Dutch driver. He will remain De Groot’s trusted mechanic for the 2026 edition.
• A lifelong motorsports enthusiast, Remon’s hobbies revolve entirely around vehicles. He enjoys tinkering with trucks and cars -including the team’s own Dakar trucks- and hitting the road on bikes and in cars, such as doing the famous Carbage Run trip.
• His task was far from easy in 2025: broken suspension, numerous flat tires, a broken stabilizer bar after hitting a large rock hole… Heavy work, but that’s also what Dakar is about. He could also rely on his navigator Koen Hendriks, who is also a skilled mechanic, for support when needed.

• 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 has already passed on his passion to his son, whose room is full of rally‑raid posters.
• A talented mechanic, the Dutchman began his Dakar career at a very young age, only 21 years old in 2017. He started in the service crew of a team, gaining experience over successive editions. While this work was already a dream for him, he lived another in 2025 by entering the race as a competitor. Officially, he served as navigator for William de Groot, but you could also count on him to repair the truck whenever needed.
• Koen earned William’s trust, as the driver explains: "I had a few disagreements with him, but in the end, he was right. That gives me confidence. While others followed the wrong route, he took an untraveled path, even though I was saying we should follow the others, and he reached the waypoint. A nice stubborn guy who made a perfect kick-off as a navigator!" No surprise he’s back in 2026!