Argentine rider Luciano Benavides has been crowned champion of the Dakar 2026 in the motorcycle category, sealing one of the greatest milestones in recent Argentine sports. The Salta native achieved the title after a tight battle that went down to the last kilometer, securing his first golden Touareg on a KTM 450 Rally Factory bike. Upon returning to the country, Benavides held a press conference at the facilities of Grupo Simpa, KTM's official representative in Argentina, where he recounted a victory that came in his ninth participation in the Dakar at the age of 30. The 2026 edition was marked by one of the closest finishes in history, with a victory decided by just two seconds. "It's a dream come true. In 2023, I already set a precedent by becoming the Rally Raid world champion, the first Argentine to achieve it, and now I have completed my journey with the most prestigious title in the discipline. The coronation also had a strong family component. After his beginnings in enduro, he consolidated himself in rally raid until reaching the international elite. Winning the Dakar by just two seconds is incredible and speaks to how demanding this competition is," expressed the rider, who also highlighted the team's work and the pride of representing the country at the top of world rallying. Benavides built his path with consistency and sporting evolution. Luciano was accompanied by his brother Kevin, a two-time Dakar champion in motorcycles, with whom he starred in a historic image on Stage 7, when both won on the same day in different categories. The Dakar 2026, held in Saudi Arabia over a course of almost eight thousand kilometers, will be remembered as an emblematic edition for Argentine sports thanks to Luciano Benavides' achievement. It was a very tough race, decided until the last kilometer.
