2021 Dakar Rally Champion Switches to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Reigning Dakar Rally champion Kevin Benavides is the latest recruit to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. The 32-year-old Argentinian will ride a KTM 450 RALLY when he defends his Dakar bike race title next January. Benavides said: “I feel so excited to join the Red Bull KTM team, it's a big, big change for me. As Dakar champion the move is an important new chapter in my racing career.“ Benavides will race this season's FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship with his new team ahead of next year's Dakar Rally. Benavides said: “I have always been a fan of KTM bikes, of Red Bull, and of how the team is organised – I truly believe that it's the best choice for me to further my racing and to be able to challenge for more Dakar wins and the World Championship title.“ Benavides made his switch to rally-raid after success on an enduro bike, finishing fourth in the Enduro Junior World Championship just under 10 years ago. He then followed up this result with numerous national championship victories. As current Da