Kevin Benavides, riding a KTM 450 RALLY, secured a thrilling victory at the 2023 Dakar Rally, closing down the gap to provisional rally leader Toby Price to just 12 seconds in the penultimate stage. On the final day of racing from Al Hofuf to Dammam, Benavides set off three minutes ahead of his teammate and took his second consecutive stage win of the event, earning him his second career Dakar Rally victory. This result marks KTM’s 19th win at the prestigious event. Kevin’s journey through the 14-stage race was characterized by outstanding consistency, as he finished inside the top 10 every day for the two-week race.
Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 14 of 14 stages)
- Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 44:27:20
- Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 44:28:03 +0:43
- Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 44:32:24 +5:04
- Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 44:46:22 +19:02
- Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 44:47:50 +20:30
Kevin Benavides: “It’s been an amazing day! I just focused on every kilometer from the first to the last. I didn’t think about the position or the result I just gave my 100 percent over the whole stage and tried to enjoy the day. The special was really fast and tricky, and so muddy – thankfully I didn’t make any big mistakes, but it would have been easy to have an issue out there today. I have worked so hard for this. 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. 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.”
Norbert Stadlbauer – Rally Team Manager: “It’s been an incredible Dakar – one of the toughest in history and definitely the closest! It’s been such a close battle inside the Red Bull KTM team with Toby and Kevin separated by just 12 seconds going into the final day today. Thankfully, the performances of both riders gave KTM a one-two in the race, with Kevin earning his second win and the 19th for KTM. Of course, you can’t have two winners, but Toby claiming second place is still an incredible achievement and down to the hard work he has put in over the two weeks. The team have also done an amazing job, not just at the event, but also over the whole of the past year building up to this race. Now it’s time to celebrate before we look ahead to the next race in the season.”
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “Beside the riders, I’m maybe the happiest man on the planet right now. It’s amazing after this long journey and this tough race, to have only 12 seconds separating the two guys coming into this final day. And then for them to push so hard over the stage and reach the finish line safely and in first and second is incredible. After around 5,000 kilometers and over 40 hours of racing, to have them so close is unheard of, and the whole team did an amazing job to get them here in this position. What it came down to was basically a motocross race for 130 kilometers. Both riders did an amazing job, and even though you can only have one winner, I’m hugely proud of them both, as the pressure was really on today. KTM now have 19 wins at the toughest offroad race in the world, but we won’t stop there. We’re already looking forward to this season and then the 2024 Dakar next year.”
