Two-time Dakar Rally champion Kevin Benavides has announced his decision to retire from professional motorcycle racing, bringing an end to an outstanding career in the sport. Kevin’s retirement marks the conclusion of a successful five-year partnership with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing—a period defined by hard-fought victories at the very highest level of rally-raid competition.

Before joining KTM, Kevin was a vital part of the Honda Racing Team, where he secured his first Dakar Rally victory in 2021, cementing himself among the sport’s elite. His triumph for Honda further demonstrated his skill, resilience, and determination—qualities that continued to define his career. In 2021, fresh off that historic win, Kevin transitioned to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, where he quickly added to his legacy with a second Dakar victory in 2023, etching his name even deeper into the sport’s history.

The 36-year old’s retirement announcement comes under difficult circumstances though. After years of pushing himself to the limits in one of the world’s most demanding motorsport disciplines, Kevin acknowledges that serious injuries have taken a toll, hindering his ability to perform at full capacity. Notably, a major training crash last year reportedly resulted in head injuries and a fractured humerus. “This isn’t how I imagined retiring, but my injury prevents me from competing at 100 percent, and I’ve always raced with everything I had.” 

An unstoppable force, the Argentinian made history for his country and beyond snatching over the years 3 Dakar Podiums, 11 Dakar Stage wins and becoming the first South American to win in the bike category — accomplishing the feat twice. In what would be his final Dakar appearance in 2025, Kevin raced alongside his brother Luciano, making a long-held dream of competing together on the same team a reality. 

Further reflecting on his departure, Kevin expressed the emotional weight of the moment: “Today is not an easy day, but it’s definitely a special one. After so many years of racing—riding motorcycles since I was three, crossing the toughest terrains on Earth, experiencing victories, crashes, and life-changing lessons – I’ve made one of the hardest decisions of my life: to bring my professional motorcycle racing career to an end. Saying goodbye to the bike feels like letting go of a part of myself, but I do so with pride. From Salta, Argentina, to the world, becoming a factory rider, winning the Dakar twice, and making history in rally and Argentine sport—these were dreams that once seemed impossible.” 

Though his two-wheel career has come to an earlier end than he envisioned, his legacy in rally-raid racing remains undeniable. And it might not be the last we see of him. “I hope to stay close to the KTM family, support my brother Luciano, and keep contributing to the sport in new ways,” says Kevin. “Dakar taught me that there are no limits when you love what you do and stay humble. Thank you all for being part of this journey.”

Photos by KTM / Dakar