[motorcycle.com] - Yamahas Adrien Van Beveren Airlifted to Hospital After Leading Dak

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Adrien Van Beveren has suffered a crash in the most recent stage 10 of the Dakar Rally and has been airlifted to a hospital in La Rioja. It’s a shame because he had the overall lead in the rally and was less than two miles from finishing the stage. KTM’s Sam Sunderland suffered a very similar fate during stage 4, where he too, was in the overall lead before crashing and getting airlifted to the hospital. Van Beveren’s exit from the Dakar Rally opens the door for KTM to regain the overall lead in route to its 17th consecutive Dakar Rally win. Our thoughts and prayers go out to both Adrien and Sam for a speedy and full recovery.

Begin Press Release:

January 17, 2018 – On Tuesday, January 16, while leading the provisional overall standings of the 2018 Dakar Rally, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team rider Adrien Van Beveren suffered a crash shortly before finishing stage 10 of the event in Belén. Currently in hospital where he is receiving medical assistance in La Rioja, Adrien is expected to return to France in the coming days.


Following the incident, Adrien was initially airlifted to the nearest hospital in Belén, Argentina, where he underwent initial medical checks. Then, during the early morning hours of Wednesday, Adrien Van Beveren was taken by ambulance to the Hospital Regional Dr. Vera Barros in La Rioja, Argentina.

Receiving further checks in La Rioja, it was confirmed that Adrien has suffered a broken collarbone, two fractured ribs and a pulmonary contusion (bruise to his lungs), caused by the impact of the crash. Following his personal request, and with the permission of the medical team, Adrien is expected to fly back to France on Wednesday night or Thursday morning in order to continue his rehabilitation.

The race continues today in Argentina, with stage 11 of the taking Dakar Rally competitors from Belén to Fiambalá.

Alexandre Kowalski – Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Director:

“The first couple of hours after the incident were long, but luckily Adrien’s condition has been stable throughout the night and this morning. He is a lot of pain but he is breathing normally and is looking forward to returning to France as soon as possible. He has been under close supervision all through the night, with doctors in La Rioja confirming the initial diagnosis for a broken collarbone, two broken ribs and an impact on his lungs from the crash. Adrien is in much better spirits today, but still extremely disappointed for losing the chance to continue the race and his battle for the coveted Dakar victory. It’s been a heavy blow for all the members of our team but we are all standing behind Adrien.”


Yamaha’s Adrien Van Beveren Airlifted to Hospital After Leading Dakar Rally appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.



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