Frans Verhoeven

Frans Verhoeven (born November 7, 1966 ) is a Dutch enduro racer .

From 1996 to 1997 he drove in a Dutch motocross racing series for two years . In 1999 he took part in Enduro Portugal , his first Enduro, but retired due to mechanical problems. In 2000 he finished fourth at the Dutch Enduro Championship and 20th at the Enduro World Championship . A year later he came third in the Dutch and French Enduro championships. He achieved his first victories at the 4 Hours of Valkenswaard in 2000 and 2001. In 2003 he was seventh in the General Trilogy in France and the following year eighth in the Aveyronnaise classic , also in France.

Verhoeven took part in the Dakar Rally for the first time on a Yamaha in 2005 and was 16th at the end, making him the second-best newcomer. In 2006 he was only 26th due to mechanical problems. In 2007 he became a works driver for the KTM factory team and started as a water carrier for Cyril Despres in the 2007 Dakar Rally . He made it into the top ten several times, but was unable to finish the rally as he had to retire on stage 12 with two dislocated shoulders after a fall. For the 2009 season he switched to the new Vectra Racing team and was able to achieve his first stage victories on the second and ninth stages of the 2009 Dakar Rally .

Web links

• http://www.fransverhoeven.com/