Luciano Benavides signed a new multi-year contract extension with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Rally Team just before round three of the 2026 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship in his home country of Argentina. Benavides won the 2023 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship title and clinched the overall victory at the 2026 Dakar Rally earlier this year. He currently leads the 2026 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship points after two rounds.
“I’m super happy to continue with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and keep this journey going together,” said Benavides. “KTM believed in me from the very beginning of my rally career, back when I was still very young and had very little experience in the discipline. They trusted me, gave me the opportunity, and supported me every step of the way, always providing the best people, the best bike, and all the tools to keep improving and fighting at the front. I have achieved the World Rally-Raid title and now, finally, the biggest goal of all, with the Dakar victory earlier this year. To be able to give that back to the team and all the people who believed in me from the start means a lot.”
“We’re really happy to continue with Luciano and extend our partnership with this new multi-year agreement,” said KTM Rally Team Manager Andreas Holzl. “To have the current Dakar Champion in the team, as well as a former World Rally-Raid Champion, is incredibly important and shows the strength of our rally program. Luciano brings a huge amount of experience but also an incredible mentality. He’s a true professional, mentally very strong, and always works hard to improve.” CN
