These are the last days before the embarkation of all the materials in Le Havre, France. It's hectic in the workshop in Vorden. Last week the team introduced itself to press and public. The presentation took place in the atmospheric 'Fox Horeca' in Vragender.
Riders Mirjam Pol, Gerben Vruggink, Alois Ressing and Tonnie Krabbenborg are responsible for the Dutch input. Besides Mirjam Pol they are all from an area called "Achterhoek''. This also applies to the other teammembers. Hans and Gerrit Polsvoort, Marcel Bulten, Johan Braakhekke and teammanager Henk Hellegers have earned their spurs  in the world of motocross and enduro. Henk Hellegers: ''In everything we do the team comes first. On your own you can't achieve anything. We have a great group of people, who all share the same goal: to get the riders at the finish, no matter what. It's great to be part of that.''

Mirjam Pol is the youngest teammember, but by far the most experienced. Mirjam: '' Off course I want to win the womens classification. But I also want a better general ranking. I battle it out with the girls, and then I look at the Dutch riders. I may not be the fastest rider of the four of us, but I can be very consistent for a long period. And I'm a good navigator. That way I'm able to overtake many riders.''

Gerben Vruggink has been part of the team since the beginning. For years he was involved in building up the bikes and as a mechanic in the rally.For once he finds himself on the other side, as rider on a bike. In the last two years Gerben competed in different rally's to gain more experience with his navigation. His whole life he's invloved in motocross and enduro, he was Dutch enduro champion N2 in 2000. The goal is to finish, but he will always keep an eye on the ranking. ''Every evening I will hand over my bike to the mechanics, together with a todo list. No, just kidding, off course I will help everywhere I can, it's something I cannot stop doing.'' 

Debutants Alois Ressing and Tonnie Krabbenborg soon found out Team Honda Europe was the best choice in their quest for a good team. ''Everything is organised perfectly, into the smalles details. This gives us the confidence we have the best chance to make it to the finish with this team.'' says Tonnie. After an offroad ride in Turkey, Alois mentioned it was time to do a rally. The next morning he was at the office of Tonnie, with a subscribtion form for the Tuareg Rally. '' Just sign here, and evertyhing is organised'' was the comment of Alois. Ever since they finished the Tuareg Rally several times, now its time for the ultimate challenge. Alois: '' We want to finish, that's what its all about. You don't just race the Dakar, that requires a lot. It won't be easy to get permission from my family, but if Dakar returns to Africa we have a perfect excuse to go once more.''

Thursday November 26th the team is in Le Havre to deliver the bikes, 6x6 assistance truck,  and two assistance Landcruisers. Followed by several weeks of relative calmness. Time to charge the batteries before the caravan takes off....

Mechanic Johan Ten Dam, who passed away very unexpectedly, is still with the team....

Last preparations in the workshop. Endurorider Erwin Plekkenpol also gives a helping hand.