Introducing Red Bull KTM’s 2025 Dakar Rally line-up
Words and images courtesy KTM
The line-up of competitors is always impressive…as speed, adventure, navigation and many hours in the saddle, are all things associated with the incredible sport of rally! You have to be an impressive rider to tackle this…
Pushing both man and machine to the extreme, rally competitions are among the toughest events on the planet.
Riders use roadbooks for navigation while racing at high speeds across varying terrain in some of the most challenging conditions.
The most famous and prestigious event on the rally calendar is the Dakar Rally, which takes place annually in January and is followed by sports fans around the world.
KTM has enjoyed great success at the event with an impressive 18 consecutive victories between 2001 and 2019.
The race, which takes place over 13 days and covers approximately 8,000km, remains the highlight of the season for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.
Here are the three Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team riders bidding for glory in this year’s Dakar line-up…..
KEVIN BENAVIDES
Team: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Racing Number: 47
Nationality: Argentinian
Birthday: 01/09/1989
Race Bike: KTM 450 Rally
World Championships: Dakar And World Rally-Raid The line-up this year is particularly strong.
Kevin Max Benavides is an Argentine World Rally-Raid rider who is best known for winning the Dakar Rally twice, in 2021 and 2023. Kevin’s first Dakar win in 2021 made him the first ever South American winner in the bikes category. However, Kevin first found success in Enduro having achieved four gold medals at various International Six Day Enduro events.
Achievements:
- 2023 – 1st Dakar Rally
- 2021 – 1st Dakar Rally
- 2019 – 3rd FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship
- 2018 – 2nd Dakar Rally
- 2017 – 1st Latino American Rally Cross Country Championship
- 2017 – 2nd FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship
- 2016 – 1st Argentinian Champion Rally Cross Country
- 2016 – 4th Dakar Rally
LUCIANO BENAVIDES
Team: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Racing Number: 77
Nationality: Argentinian
Birthday: 15/06/1995
Race Bike: KTM 450 Rally
World Championships: Dakar And World Rally-Raid
Luciano Benavides originally held the highest finishing position of any Argentinian rider at the Dakar Rally when he finished 6th in 2020. In 2023, Luciano made a step forward in his career after finishing 6th by winning stages six, nine and eleven – winning more stages than any other rider. Fast forward to the end of the 2023 season and Luciano was crowned the 2023 FIM World Rally-Raid Champion.The 2023 line-up was impressive.
Achievements:
- 2023 – 1st FIM World Rally-Raid Championship
- 2023 – 1st Desafio Ruta40
- 2023 – 6th Dakar Rally
- 2022 – 4th FIM World Rally-Raid Championship
- 2020 – 6th Dakar Rally
DANIEL SANDERS
Team: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Racing Number: 4
Nationality: Australian
Birthday: 30/08/1994
Race Bike: KTM 450 Rally
World Championships: Dakar And World Rally-Raid
Daniel Sanders loves nothing more than going really fast for as long as possible. With his dirt bike placed firmly beneath him, he has won stacks of things. He’s been the Australian off-road champion (twice), has been outright winner at the International Six Days Enduro and won the E3 Class thrice. Daniel signed with the KTM Factory Racing Rally Team in 2024 and has since won the Rallye du Maroc 2024. His addition to the line-up adds strength to the team.
Achievements:
- 2024 – 1st Rallye du Maroc
- 2023 – 1st Sonora Rally
- 2021 – 4th Dakar Rally
- 2019 – 1st FIM International Six Days of Enduro (Outright Winner)
- 2019 – 1st FIM International Six Days of Enduro (E3 Class Winner)
- 2018 – 1st Hattah Desert Race
- 2016 – 1st FIM International Six Days of Enduro (E3 Winner)
- 2016 – 1st Australian Offroad Champion
- 2015 – 1st International Six Days of Enduro (E3 Winner)
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