Irish Motor Sports News – Benavides 2nd for Monster Energy Honda Team on Dakar 2018

Benavides 2nd for Monster Energy Honda Team on Dakar 2018

Jan 26, 2018

After two weeks and 8000 kilometres of gruelling competition full of a thousand challenges in all kinds of conditions, Monster Energy Honda Team have completed the 40th edition of the Dakar Rally. Kevin Benavides proved himself up to the challenge, earning a well-merited place on the final podium of the world’s toughest rally.

The final fourteenth stage of the 2018 Rally Dakar was resplendent with the colours of the Monster Energy Honda Team, who claimed the final stage victory at the hands of Argentinean rider Kevin Benavides, sealing the overall runner-up spot in the process. Another success for the team in the Dakar Rally, equalling the same feat of Paulo Gonçalves in 2015.

After a last-minute injury had forced Paulo to retire, the Portuguese rider’s replacement in the race, youngster José Ignacio, proved to be one of the revelations of the rally. The Chilean rider regularly posted top fifteen places before finishing in tenth overall place. “We set out to ride a good, intelligent race. We started well in Peru, had a complicated stint in Bolivia and then were able to pull things back in Argentina. We went from seventh to fifteenth before finishing in tenth final position. This was something that we had dreamed about and planned for a few years now. Finally we have fulfilled our aim. I’m really pleased to have achieved it with the Monster Energy Honda Team and I’m really happy that they gave me the chance to do so. It wasn’t easy, but we finished the race without problems,” said Cornejo.

Kevin Benavides ⁴⁷

Stage: 1st Overall: 2nd

It’s been a great Dakar. I’m really happy and I felt great. It’s been really tough. We fought right up until the end. We always had a great strategy. We were always on the podium and were even leading the race at one point. It’s a shame about what happened in stage ten, but we have to keep looking forward. We’ve finished second overall and we have won the final stage, which we knew we could.

Raul Castells

Monster Energy Honda Team Manager

We have finished this really hard Dakar which has put everyone to the test and where Monster Energy Honda Team has clinched the second final position with Kevin Benavides who, in addition, won the final stage. I want to congratulate him for his success and his work and also the whole team for making it possible, since behind the riders there is a large group of professionals working very hard. And not only has Kevin achieved an excellent result, but we must also highlight the tenth final position of Nacho Cornejo, who has strictly carried out the role entrusted upon him. Thanks also to Joan Barreda for having tried so hard until the end and also to Mika Metge and Ricky Brabec for their important work.

Stage 14 Results

Pos.	Rider	Num	Nation	Team	Time/Gap
1	Benavides Kevin	47	ARG	Monster Energy Honda Team	01:26’41
2	Price Toby	8	AUS	Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team	+00’54
3	Meo Antoine	19	FRA	Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team	+02’49
4	Oliveras Daniel	29	SPA	Himoinsa Team	+03’25
5	Aubert Johnny	40	FRA	Gas Gas Racing	+04’19
6	Mena Oriol	61	SPA	Hero Motorsports Team Rally	+05’01
7	Farres Gerard	3	SPA	Himoinsa Team	+05’23
8	Walkner Matthias	2	AUT	Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team	+05’38
9	Cornejo José Ignacio	68	CHI	Monster Energy Honda Team	+07’57
10	Pedrero Joan	12	SPA	Sherco TVS Rally Factory	+10’53
11	Sanz Laia	15	SPA	KTM Factory Racing Team	+11’03
12	Solà Marc	34	SPA	Himoinsa Team	+11’32
13	Esposito Shane		USA	KTM	+11’32
14	Samuels Mark		USA	OX Motorsports	+11’41
15	Nosiglia Daniel	33	BOL	HT Husqvarna Rally Team	+11’46

Rider Standings

Final Standings

Pos.	Rider	Num	Nation	Team	Time/Gap
1	Walkner Matthias	2	AUT	Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team	43:06’01
2	Benavides Kevin	47	ARG	Monster Energy Honda Team	+16’53
3	Price Toby	8	AUS	Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team	+23’01
4	Meo Antoine	19	FRA	Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team	+47’28
5	Farres Gerard	3	SPA	Himoinsa Team	+01:01’04
6	Aubert Johnny	40	FRA	Gas Gas Racing	+01:53’53
7	Mena Oriol	61	SPA	Hero Motorsports Team Rally	+02:22’52
8	Quintanilla Pablo	10	CHI	Husqvarna Factory Rally Team	+02:24’05
9	Oliveras Daniel	29	SPA	Himoinsa Team	+02:37’20
10	Cornejo José Ignacio	68	CHI	Monster Energy Honda Team	+02:42’36

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