Kevin
Benavides
Argentina
·
Rally Raid
Date of birth | 9 January 1989 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Salta, Argentina |
Age | 37 |
Nationality | Argentina |
Career start | 2008 |
Discipline | Rally Raid Bike |
Kevin Benavides learned how to ride a bicycle when he was three years old, the next day he learned how to ride a motorbike. He has since graduated from small dirt bikes to bulkier Enduro machines and now his present ride… the all conquering KTM 450 RALLY.
Benavides first got his name out internationally at the Enduro Junior World Championship in 2012. Despite his fourth place finish seeing him narrowly miss out on the podium, it was clear to all who witnessed him ride that he had something special.
A smart move pays off
He subsequently went on to scoop four gold medals at various International Six Days Enduro events before being tempted to try his hand at a cross-country rally. His participation in the 2015 Desafío Ruta 40 in his native Argentina didn’t quite go as planned as he crashed out. However, he had done enough to convince Honda to bring him onboard as a factory rider. It proved a wise move, the next year Benavides returned to the Desafío Ruta 40 and took the outright win.
Over the following years Benavides came so close to rally-raid’s top prizes. Second place finishes at the 2018 Dakar Rally and 2017 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship saw him grow in stature as a rider – a feared competitor out in the desert.
Dakar champion at last
In January 2021 everything eventually clicked into place for Benavides as he got his hands on rally-raid’s highest honour, first place at the Dakar. After his triumph in Saudi Arabia he got the call to join Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – winners of 18 consecutive editions of the Dakar between 2001 and 2019.
Benavides secured another stage victory at the 2022 Dakar but was unable to successfully defend his title. But he put in a strong showing at the Atacama Rally later that year (third place) and scored another historic Dakar Rally victory in Saudi Arabia in 2023.
"This year’s rally has been one of the closest ever and there wasn’t a single day where you could afford to ease off," said Benavides of his second Dakar Rally victory. "I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team, and all my family and friends. It’s going to take a little while to sink in – I can’t describe this feeling right now.”
Benavides returned to Saudi Arabia in 2024 but was unable to successfully defend his title as he finished in fourth place overall at the Dakar Rally. A string of training injuries kept Benavides out of competitions for much of the year.
Switching two wheels for four in 2026
Ultimately it was those injuries – including lasting nerve damage to his arm – which forced him to step away from motorcycle racing in 2025. Rather than leaving motorsport behind, the Benavides embraced a new challenge by switching to four wheels and entering the Challenger category at Dakar 2026. In his debut campaign, he adapted quickly, claiming two stage victories and proving that the determination which made him a two-time Dakar champion remains as strong as ever
Leaping on four wheels now instead of two
© Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool
It's thirsty work driving in the desert
© Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool
Kevin Benavides: Two-time Dakar winner
© Marcelo Maragni / Red Bull Content Pool
Tracking shot: A helicopter follows Kevin Benavides into the Empty Quarter
© DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool