“I don't give up”
RIDER FACTS
- Kevin Benavides is one of the Dakar's superstars. The Argentinean has won the motorbike category twice: in 2021 with Honda and in 2023 with KTM, thus fulfilling his dream of winning the rally with two different makes.
- Kevin's story began with his dazzling start to the 2016 Dakar, winning a stage on day 3 and then finishing an astonishing fourth. That great debut was followed by a brilliant season with victories in Argentina and elsewhere. Kevin suffered the disappointment of being sidelined from the event 15 days before the start of the 2017 Dakar when he broke his hand during a training session.
- At the 2018 Dakar, he fought neck and neck with the leading riders until he got lost on stage 10, giving up his chances of victory. Finishing runner-up was both a prize and a challenge. In the Peruvian Dakar, Kevin received a three-hour penalty with three stages to go. That circumstance and an engine change left him in 12th place. Two months later, he was upgraded to fifth place.
- Ö Kevin demonstrated exceptional speed on the 2020 Dakar and won a stage, but on day six, his Honda's engine failed 44 kilometres from the finish line.
- Defending his crown at the 2022 Dakar, Kevin had to start from the back after losing almost an hour on the opening stage. On day 10, while he was in fifth place, just a few minutes off the lead, an engine failure forced him to retire.
- Kevin won the 2023 Dakar in a nail-biting finish. He started the final stage 12 seconds behind Toby Price.
- On 11 May 2024, Kevin suffered a severe accident while testing with his brother Luciano at the Mantillo Mx Park circuit in Salta. He was in hospital for several days with a guarded prognosis due to a severe head injury that caused a widespread axonal injury, as well as a fractured humerus, a broken radial nerve and cervical injuries.
- Nevertheless, Kevin is not a quitter. He aims to arrive at the Dakar in the best possible physical condition, helped by the great motivation of teaming up with his brother Luciano.
AMBITION 2025
K.B.: “I went to the 2024 Dakar after three injuries during the year. I started a bit slow, without rhythm, but then I got the feeling and felt more in the groove. As the days went by, I won stages, and to finish fourth after a difficult year was a great result for me.”
“The accident happened on May 11, and since then, things have changed a lot for me. I don't give up. I work hard every day to try to make it to the Dakar. I will make it; the question is, at what fitness level? I plan to give it my all in the gym, have physiotherapy, use the hyperbaric chamber, watch my diet and train.”
“The team looks excellent. The addition of my brother is something historic for both of us. It's a great thrill to be with Luciano, be part of the same team, and wear the same colours. They did a great job in the Morocco Rally, with Sanders first and Luciano third. They have shown that they are strong for this Dakar.”
“(David) Castera always surprises us with many things. The 48-hour stage will be less in the dunes but more on hard ground. Of course, being with my brother is a super motivator that helps me recover from my injuries. My goal is to do my best every day. I'm not going with a result in mind. I'm going with the aim of feeling good on the bike. If I feel good, the result will come. I have nothing to prove. The team supports my recovery, and I thank them for their trust.”
