The Argentinian rider, current Dakar Rally winner and FIM World Rally-Raid Championship leader, has signed a new multi-year contract with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ahead of his home round at the Desafio Ruta 40.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has announced a new multi-year contract extension with Luciano Benavides, confirming the Argentinian’s future with the Austrian manufacturer’s official rally-raid team.

The deal comes at the strongest point of Benavides’ career so far. The rider from Salta claimed victory at the 2026 Dakar Rally earlier this year after one of the closest finishes in recent memory, taking the win by just two seconds following a final-stage showdown.

That Dakar victory confirmed Luciano as one of the leading names in world rally-raid. Added to his 2023 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship title, it strengthens his role within KTM’s rally programme and underlines his status as one of the most complete riders in the discipline.

Benavides has also made a strong start to the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship season. After the opening two rounds, he leads the overall standings and heads to the Desafio Ruta 40 as one of the favourites, with the added motivation of racing on home soil.

With this new agreement, Luciano will continue to race the KTM 450 RALLY as part of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing line-up, the team with which he has grown since the early stages of his rally career and now begins a new chapter as Dakar champion.

“I’m super happy to continue with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and keep this journey going together,” said Luciano Benavides. “KTM believed in me from the very beginning of my rally career, 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.”

Benavides also reflected on the significance of his recent achievements with the brand. “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. Winning Dakar has changed something in me because it was a dream I had for so many years, but now the motivation is even bigger to keep winning and achieve more together.”

The Argentinian also highlighted the working environment inside KTM’s official rally structure. “What I really value is the passion inside this team and the constant drive to keep developing, improving, and pushing forward. That gives me a lot of confidence and motivation to work even harder. KTM feels like a second family to me and I’m excited for what we can achieve together in the future.”

Andreas Hölzl, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Rally Team Manager, described the renewal as an important move for the future of KTM’s rally programme.

“We’re really happy to continue with Luciano and extend our partnership with this new multi-year agreement,” said Hölzl. “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 programme. 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.”

Hölzl also underlined the role Benavides has built within the team. “He’s become a key part of the team and we’re excited to continue this journey together over the coming years. Now our focus turns to Desafio Ruta 40, Luciano’s home race, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do there.”

The next challenge for Benavides and his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Daniel Sanders comes immediately with the Desafio Ruta 40, round three of the 2026 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, taking place in Argentina from May 24-29.

Credit photos: KTM