Janus van Kasteren won the seventh stage in the Dakar Rally on Saturday afternoon. After a miserable start to the rally in Saudi Arabia, the driver from Veldhoven writes history with the stage victory. The last time a Brabant rider took a day victory was in 2019.
In the seventh stage, Janus van Kasteren seized power halfway through and did not relinquish it. He stayed ahead of classification leader Ales Loprais and teammate Mitchel van den Brink. His lead over the number two was almost four minutes.
The last time a Brabant driver took a victory in the Dakar Rally was in 2019, by Ton van Genugten. He won the last stage in South America. It is not the first Dutch victory in this Dakar Rally. Gert Huzink and Mitchel van den Brink also won a stage.
Walk-in
Van Kasteren, a top favorite, had to get this Dakar Rally going. He was struggling with engine problems and lost his day victory in the second stage due to a time penalty. Yesterday he missed the victory by a few seconds. Now there is finally day success for the Brabander.
The Veldhovenaar remains in third place in the standings, more than twenty minutes behind the leader.
Watch tonight for a reaction from Van Kasteren to Bivouac Brabant Dakar. Around 20:30 on the website and Youtube page of Omroep Brabant.
Read also: Dakar driver Van Kasteren will stop if engine misery continues