Benavides Claims Dramatic Dakar Motorbike Victory, Al-Attiyah Secures Sixth Car Title
YANBU, Saudi Arabia – Luciano Benavides achieved a stunning victory in the motorbike category of the Dakar Rally on Saturday, capitalizing on a late-stage navigation error by race leader ricky Brabec to win by a mere two seconds – the smallest margin of victory in the event’s history. Concurrently,Nasser Al-Attiyah secured his sixth Dakar car title,demonstrating consistent performance throughout the grueling 13th and final stage.
Brabec appeared poised to claim his third Dakar victory, benefiting from time bonuses earned while leading the race. Tho,a wrong turn just seven kilometers from the finish line dramatically altered the race’s outcome. Benavides, noticing Brabec’s backtrack, seized the unexpected opportunity.
“I saw the opportunity, and I took it,” Benavides stated. “I felt ready all day. I told everyone at the start of the stage ’This Dakar is for me.'”
Benavides concluded the stage in second place, behind teammate Edgar Canet, who secured his third stage win of the rally. Brabec arrived 3 minutes and 22 seconds after Benavides, confirming the Argentine rider’s improbable triumph.
“It’s unreal,” Benavides expressed. “Two seconds after two weeks and almost 8,000 kilometers is somthing that is hard to understand.”
The victory is especially remarkable considering Benavides’ recent recovery from a torn knee ligament sustained just three months prior during the Moroccan Rally.This win also surpasses the previous closest margin of victory – 43 seconds – set by his brother, Kevin Benavides, in 2023.
In the car category, Nasser Al-Attiyah secured his sixth title, trailing only Stéphane Peterhansel’s record of eight. His victory came after a strategic final stage, finishing nearly nine minutes behind stage winner Mattias Ekström. Al-Attiyah defeated Nani Roma by 9 minutes and 42 seconds, marking his largest margin of victory in six Dakar titles.
This win represents Al-Attiyah’s sixth championship with four different manufacturers, adding to his victories in 2011 and 2015 in Argentina, 2019 in Peru, and 2022 and 2023 in Saudi Arabia. He expressed his continued ambition to surpass Peterhansel’s record.
Al-Attiyah’s success was further enhanced by his partnership with Belgian navigator Fabian Lurquin, a collaboration that began six months ago. The duo’s decisive move on Wednesday, gaining a 12-minute lead during a marathon stage, proved pivotal in securing the championship.
“It’s amazing to win,” Al-attiyah said. “I might not be showing much emotion, but it’s in my heart.we are so happy and thankful.”
Nani Roma finished on the podium for the first time since 2019, while Sébastien Loeb narrowly trailed Ekström by 37 seconds for third place.
