Luciano Benavides wrote one of the most memorable chapters in Argentine sports by being crowned champion of the 2026 Dakar Rally in the motorcycle category. The outcome was historic: after almost 8,000 kilometers of competition, the rider from Salta claimed the title by just two seconds over American Ricky Brabec, the narrowest margin ever recorded in the history of the event.
The coronation was sealed in the last stage, a timed section of only 105 kilometers ending in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Benavides reached the decisive day with a deficit of 3 minutes and 20 seconds, but he capitalized on a navigation error by Brabec, who got lost while opening the route with seven kilometers to go before the finish line, and he achieved a comeback as unexpected as it was epic, narrowly surpassing the American's 49 hours 43 seconds with a final time of 49 hours and 41 seconds.
The 30-year-old Argentine rider finished second in the stage, which ended up being won by Spaniard Edgar Canet (KTM), although that result was enough for him to move to the top of the overall standings by a minimal margin. Meanwhile, Spaniard Tosha Schareina (Honda) completed the podium both in the final stage and in the overall classification.
"I can't believe what just happened. I did my best today, I trusted myself, I navigated as well as I could and God has given me this victory. I had to believe it until the end. It is something that I will never forget in my life", Benavides said after crossing the finish line.
The outcome also reignited the controversy surrounding Brabec's strategy, who in previous stages had given up time to avoid opening the route on the following days. That tactic, which seemed under control up to kilometer 98 of the final competition, ended up being counterproductive and denied him his third "Touareg".
