In the 2018 edition of the Dakar Bernhard ten Brinke was the first Dutchman ever to win a stage in the car category. On the brink of finishing third overall he had to withdraw on the penultimate day. Also last year, in 2019, he had to abandon in the final stages of the rally. Having sold the kitchen factory his grandfather started, Ten Brinke now concentrates on a woodworking company, manufacturing window sills and frames, among other things. With a smaller company and thus with more time to prepare, Ten Brinke enters this year’s Dakar reunited with Tom Colsoul. Once again Ten Brinke will be member of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team, with former Dakar champions Nasser Al Attiyah and Giniel de Villiers, and former Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso, as his team mates.
B.t.B.: “Having sold the kitchen business gives me more time to do things I like, such as preparing for the Dakar. I’ve shown I’m capable of a top 5 and even a top 3 result. I have the best car, the support of a factory team, a great navigator and my own condition is better than ever. Although there never is a guarantee for another success I think we are well prepared. We’ve had some bad luck in rallies this year, but we’ve shown we are fast.”
