Yamaha Netherlands Verhoeven Team rider Frans Verhoeven made it count today, expertly dispatching the 12th stage of the 2013 Dakar Rally to take a much deserved victory aboard his 450 Yamaha machine. The Dutch rider excelled on a stage that over 319km contained sand, stones, rocks, rio’s and dunes. In a touching tribute Verhoeven dedicated his first stage victory of the 2013 Dakar to former Yamaha France Dakar legend Jean-Claude Olivier who tragically passed away last week. The result places Verhoeven in seventh position and closes the gap to fellow Yamaha rider Olivier Pain who came home in tenth position today and moves up to sixth, less than two minutes ahead of the Dutchman.
Marcos Patronelli took another second place finish today, the Yamaha Racing Argentina rider finishing just one minute behind the leader. His result on the Yamaha quad keeps him nearly two hours in the lead as the Dakar draws closer to the final stages.
“We would not be here without Jean-Claude,” Frans Verhoeven explained. “JCO has been an inspiration for us, ever since the time Stéphane Peterhansel won for Yamaha. Therefore this victory is dedicated to his memory. My Yamaha 450 did not have one small hic up today. The potential of this bike is amazing. Today compensates for the trouble I had in the first week. I was able to keep the pace high for all of the stage. Immediately from the beginning I started to hunt down Faria, who had started a minute in front of me, and Duclos, who had three minutes. I rode like a motocross rider. Before the tank stop at kilometer 169 I had overtaken Faria and was on Duclos’ tail. It was one of those days when you know exactly what you do and where you are. The perfect day and a little bit more. I made no mistakes and was in super balance. Everything I did worked out the best possible way.”
2013 Dakar Rally Stage 12 Results
Cordoba to La Rioja: timed special 319 km
1. Frans Verhoeven, NED (Yamaha) 3:49:15
2. Ruben Faria, PRT (KTM) 3:50:53
3. Joan Barreda, ESP (Husq) 3:52:16
4. Alain Duclos FRA (Sherco) 3:52:32
5. Helder Rodrigues, PRT (Honda) 3:52:50
6. Jakub Przygonski POL (KTM) 3:53:22
7. Francisco Lopez CHL (KTM) 3:54:02
8. Gerard Farres ESP (Honda) 3:54:17
9. Javier Pizzolito ARG (Honda) 3:54:37
10. Olivier Pain FRA (Yamaha) 3:54:47
17. Michael Metges FRA (Yamaha) 4:00:29
2013 Dakar Rally Overall Standings after Stage 10:
1. Cyril Despres (KTM) 37:32:34
2. Ruben Faria (KTM) 37:38:12
3. Chaleco Lopez (KTM) 37:46:03
4. Ivan Jakes (KTM) 37:52:47
5. Juan Pedrero (KTM) 38:28:18
6. Olivier Pain (Yamaha) 38:50:28
7. Frans Verhoeven (Yamaha) 38:52:21
8. Helder Rodrigues (Honda) 38:57:43
9. Javier Pizzolito (Honda) 39:06:19
10. Jakub Przygonski (KTM) 39:15:36
19. Michael Metge (Yamaha) 40:52:21
