Dakar Rally 2023: A Historic Conclusion
In a thrilling conclusion to the Dakar Rally held in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, Luciano Benavides captured the motorbike championship with a breathtaking victory margin of just two seconds, the closest in the event’s history. His win came after Ricky Brabec made a critical navigational error just minutes before the finish line, allowing Benavides to seize the opportunity. Despite Brabec nearing his third victory and holding a substantial lead, a wrong turn sealed his fate while Benavides maintained a steady course, showcasing his determination throughout the race.
Benavides’s Journey to Victory
Benavides revealed his confidence leading into the final stage, declaring,
“This Dakar is for me”
before the race began. Ultimately, he finished second in the final stage to teammate Edgar Canet, who celebrated his third stage win of the rally. Following the race, the jubilant cheers of Benavides’s team echoed as they lifted him in triumph, celebrating their narrow victory amidst staggering odds.
The previous record for the closest finish was held by Benavides’s brother, Kevin, who won in 2023 with a margin of 43 seconds. Luciano Benavides’s journey to victory was particularly remarkable as this was his ninth Dakar Rally, and just months prior, he had suffered a significant knee ligament injury during the Moroccan Rally. His resilience was tested during the race, especially after fellow teammate and defending champion Daniel Sanders suffered a crash mid-way through the rally.
Car Category Highlights
While Benavides triumphed in the motorcycle category, Nasser Al-Attiyah secured his sixth car title after a subdued but steady performance, finishing nearly nine minutes behind stage winner Mattias Ekström. Al-Attiyah, piloting a Dacia car, cemented his position in Dakar history but remains two titles behind the legendary Stéphane Peterhansel. Although he initially faced reduced speed through a cautious driving style, Al-Attiyah’s overall lead remained intact, as he outperformed competitor Nani Roma by a comfortable 9:42.
Al-Attiyah’s wins span four different manufacturers, showcasing his adaptability and skill across changes in car performance. Meanwhile, Ekström’s impressive finish maintained his lead over Sébastien Loeb, who finished just seconds behind. For Roma, the 2014 car champion, this marked his first podium since 2019 as the Dakar Rally concluded with another year of thrilling competition.
