2018 Atacama Rally Results
Cycle News Staff | August 18, 2018
Kevin Benavides of the Monster Energy Honda Team on the final stage and the overall win in Chile at the Atacama Rally 2018. Benavides won three of the five stages, pretty much dominating the race.
Benavides finished four minutes and 25 seconds ahead of the next-best rider, Red Bull KTM’s Tody Price. Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna Factory Rall Team) finished another two-plus seconds behind in third.
Matthias Walkner (Red Bull KTM) and Franco Caimi (Yamalube Yamaha) rounded out the top five overall.
American Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda) was ninth overall, finish a little over an hour behind the winner and his teammate Benavidas. Fellow American Andrew Short (Husqvarna Factory) completed the top 10 overall.
“I’m very happy; it has been an amazing Atacama Rally for me,” said Benavides. “I won three stages and I felt very comfortable on the bike, which has worked perfectly throughout the even. The team has worked very well and this has given me the tools needed for the victory. I was able to stay very focused and was confident in myself. Winning here is not easy – Quintanilla is very strong. I’ve been looking forward to this victory for a long time and I’m really savoring it!”
Brabec said he is glad to get to see the checkered flag. “I’m happy to have finished the race in one piece and am already looking forward to the next one already,” Brabec said. “It has a great all-round team effort and everyone continues to improve as we work towards our final goal—the Dakar. Everyone has worked really hard and the bike has really been the star. Big congratulations to our teammate Benavides who rode really well throughout the whole rally.”
RESULTS
Rider Standings
Final Standings Atacama Rally 2018
Pos. |
Rider |
Num |
Nation |
Team |
Time/Gap |
1 |
Benavides Kevin |
2 |
ARG |
Monster Energy Honda Team |
14:19’39 |
2 |
Price Toby |
11 |
AUS |
Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team |
+4’25 |
3 |
Quintanilla Pablo |
1 |
CHI |
Husqvarna Factory Rally Team |
+6’27 |
4 |
Walkner Matthias |
3 |
AUT |
Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team |
+10’21 |
5 |
Caimi Franco |
8 |
ARG |
Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team |
+22’47 |
6 |
Goncalves Paulo |
4 |
POR |
Monster Energy Honda Team |
+23’32 |
7 |
Cornejo José Ignacio |
10 |
CHI |
Monster Energy Honda Team |
+39’07 |
8 |
Van Beveren Adrien |
6 |
FRA |
Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team |
+41’39 |
9 |
Brabec Ricky |
15 |
USA |
Monster Energy Honda Team |
+1:01’32 |
10 |
Short Andrew |
12 |
USA |
Husqvarna Factory Rally Team |
+1:03’49 |
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