Kiwi Rider January Vol.2 2026 | Page 30

If it wasn’ t for Benavides on the KTM, Honda would have had a clean sweep of the podium
determination and resilience to push on and cross the final line in a credible 5th place. He had this to say about his 2026 Dakar Rally,“ I’ m really happy for the team, and that’ s just Dakar – it’ s never over until it’ s over. Every day is different and anything can happen. I only heard the news at the finish. I was in a lot of pain and honestly just ready to lie down, but that gave me the extra motivation to go and see Luciano and congratulate him. It’ s so cool and really incredible for the whole team. Unfortunately, I was unlucky in my own race and out of the fight for the win, but the result is still in the team, and that’ s something special. Huge congratulations to everyone who worked so hard again this year, consistency has really paid off.”
2026 DAKAR RALLY OVERALL RESULTS
1
Benavides L
ARG
KTM Factory Racing Team
49:00:41
2
Brabec R
USA
Monster Energy Honda HRC
+ 0:00:02
3
Schareina T
ESP
Monster Energy Honda HRC
+ 0:25:12
4
Howes S
USA
Monster Energy Honda HRC
+ 0:56:41
5
Sanders D
AUS
KTM Factory Racing Team
+ 1:03:15
6
Van Beveren A
FRA
Monster Energy Honda HRC
+ 1:04:46
7
Cornejo I
CHI
Hero MotoSports Team Rally
+ 1:39:50
8
Branch R
BWA
Hero MotoSports Team Rally
+ 2:49:15
9
Mulec T
SLO
BAS World KTM Team
+ 2:57:18
10
Campbell P
USA
Monster Energy Honda HRC
+ 3:01:55
30 KIWI RIDER