“A podium would be fantastic, I've yet to get one”

Adrien Van Beveren, who finished runner-up in the 2021 Cross-Country Rally World Championship, led the general classification of the 2022 Dakar three days before the finish. It was the sixth time in his career that he had held this position (four days in 2018 and two days in 2022). But once again, victory and even the final podium eluded him. His fourth-place finish, like in 2017, remains his best result in seven participations (including four retirements). "VBA" did not participate in round two of the W2RC in Abu Dhabi. Yamaha halted its motorbike rally-raid programme after the Dakar and Honda had not yet finalised its contract with the Frenchman. Back to racing with HRC after nine months out of competition since the Dakar, Adrien won two stages on the Rallye du Maroc and took another fourth-place result. Then he won the W2RC season finale on the Andalucía Rally, winning three of the four stages. This first victory of his World Championship career saw him move up to third in the W2RC, just one point behind team-mate Ricky Brabec but, let's not forget, with one less round than his rivals. A superb end to the season for his Honda debut, and the statistics are flattering: "VBA" won 50% of the stages of the last two rounds of the 2022 W2RC season, making him the man to keep an eye on just before the Dakar. For his eighth participation, the Honda factory rider doesn't want to get caught out and continues to advocate the "stage by stage" philosophy. A podium finish on the Dakar would be another step he would be satisfied with before aiming for the W2RC title at the end of the 2023 season. Runner-up in the 2021 World Championship and 3rd in 2022, 'VBA' has, contrary to the Dakar, already experienced podium honours in the World Championship. The top step in the W2RC is the only one that still eludes him.

“I returned from the Dakar saying to myself that I couldn't stop there despite the withdrawal of Yamaha, for whom I raced for 14 seasons. I had confirmation that I was right to believe in my potential and that I was in the mix. I thought I could ride the Honda in Abu Dhabi, but it took longer than I thought it would. I was frustrated but relieved when I returned for the Rallye du Maroc and won stage two. It was the first time in my career that I switched teams, and I was keen to prove to Honda that they had made a wise choice in recruiting me. It gave me confidence that the bike was working well and that I was still a contender. I had no issues adapting to the extremely competitive and safe factory Honda bike. Especially on the rocks, which I discovered in Morocco. Today, I have no apprehension on the eve of a stage, whether it is rocky or sandy. I think I have gathered some more elements to succeed with the Honda team, but I am not in a "now or never" mode. I want to continue step by step. A podium result would be amazing. I've never done that. I recently won stages in Morocco and won in Andalucía, which is good. But I know that the Dakar is a step above, and above all, you have to respect this rally because many things can happen. In fact, many things will happen, and I am ready.”