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Luciano Benavides Wins Dakar Motos by Two Seconds After Brabec’s Late Navigation Error

A mistake near the final waypoint in a 105‑kilometer special flipped the overall lead and produced the Dakar’s narrowest motorcycle margin on record.

Rider Luciano Benavides of Argentina celebrates on the podium after the thirteenth stage with a start and finish in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Jan.17, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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Luciano Benavides celebra su histórico triunfo en el Dakar (AP)
Luciano Benavides, de KTM, padeció la estrategia de Ricky Brabec, que desaceleró el jueves para que el argentino hiciera el mejor tiempo en la etapa 11 del Rally Dakar y saliera por delante en la 12, limpiando la ruta y yendo a menor ritmo.

Overview

  • Ricky Brabec began the last stage with a 3 minutes 20 seconds cushion after winning Stage 12 and benefiting from a starting‑order strategy reported by multiple outlets.
  • Brabec’s navigation error around kilometer 98 cost crucial time, allowing Benavides to clinch the title by two seconds in what officials record as the tightest finish in Dakar history.
  • The Red Bull KTM rider secures his first Dakar crown, extending the Benavides family legacy after brother Kevin’s previous motorcycle victories.
  • Spain’s Edgar Canet won the final special in Yanbu, while Honda’s Tosha Schareina locked in third overall.
  • Beyond bikes, Kevin Benavides won Stage 12 in the Challenger class and Nasser Al‑Attiyah extended his cars lead to roughly 16 minutes, putting him on the cusp of a sixth title.