Overview
- Thousands greeted Benavides in a city caravan that ended at Salta’s microestadio Delmi, where he called learning of his victory “the happiest moment of my life.”
- He sealed the Dakar 2026 motorcycles title by overturning more than three minutes in the 105 km final stage at Yanbu to beat Ricky Brabec by two seconds, the smallest margin on record.
- Benavides detailed a pivotal scare in Stage 10, saying his bike was buried in a dune and he dug for about four and a half minutes before another rider helped him escape.
- He returned to Argentina after media appearances in Buenos Aires and shared airport photos with his brother Kevin, who debuted in Challenger cars with three stage wins and finished seventh overall.
- Argentina’s broader showing included a Challenger podium for Nicolás Cavigliasso and Valentina Pertegarini, who placed third after recovering from a mid-rally setback.