Kevin Benavides, the Dakar champion, spoke to Clarín in the midst of his triumphant return to his homeland

Exit from Saudi Arabia it was a Dakar in itself. Flights departing from Damman airport experienced significant delays. As part of the world’s most extreme race, at the air station, away from the Arab city on the banks of the Persian Gulfthe planes departed for various European destinations.

Posters in Frankfurt, Paris, Barcelona and Madrid, among others, have addressed a large part of the inhabitants of this traveling city that has moved from west to east of Saudi Arabia, including the capital, Riyadh, and the mythical desert “Semprún Neighborhood”, south of the peninsula. The delays led to multiple complications for those who continued on their journeys until they reached their destination.

Air France Flight 228 was about to close the doors of sector M of Charles de Gaulle airport when they appeared almost magically Kevin and Luciano Benavides.

Kevin was in a hurry Tuaregthe precious trophy awarded for the phenomenal victory at last Sunday’s Dakar in Arabia.

Leather jacket provided by the KTM team’s main advertiser, jeans and sneakers, the residents of Salta rushed to gate 43, before the boarding gate closed. And there was a short exclusive dialogue with clarion.

-As seen in your nets, you didn’t drop the trophy for the world.

-(Laughter) No, that’s right. I carry it everywhere. It’s amazing to have this award. Sometimes I see the other (he won the Dakar in 2021) and I still can’t believe it.

-You also slept with him, like Messi and the World Cup.

-These comparisons are made in the networks. And it’s good. Messi and the national team have undoubtedly given us one of the greatest joys.

-For motorsport fans, you did too.

-I will not compare myself with Messi. But it is a huge pride to achieve the goals and that our flag is raised high. It is unique, unmatched by anything.

-Continuing with the comparisons, Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah surprised you on the Dakar podium wearing a cape similar to the one Messi wore at the World Cup awards ceremony.

-Nasser is one of a kind. The of him was formidable. He won his fifth Touareg at the Dakar. Crazy. And he is very witty. He has become a fan of Argentina and does not stop uploading posts with our music and always mentions our country. He is big.

-Do you think you will achieve what Al-Attiyah achieved with cars?

-God willing. It’s very difficult by the way. You have to give a lot to win a Dakar. But we’ll try every time I show up.

-Watching the race in situ and talking to you every day, you were physically fit, but very confident on how to tackle the race. As if you understood it perfectly from the start.

-Yup. I was comfortable for the most part, at least with the strategies. The planned steps were underway. Until we got to the end of the race with that minimal 2 second difference to Tony Price. And also physically very well. I arrived without injuries, which is very important, and with the KTM evolution at its peak.

home with the trophy

While Kevin flies home, a movement has been launched on social networks among different groups of bikers and fans of the crazy atmosphere to receive the champion in Ezeiza, this Tuesday around 20:00. From there he will travel to Salta, where his compatriots will organize an event based on their achievements in the Middle East.

While all of this is happening, Kevin strokes his prize at the French airport. He literally doesn’t let go. And he focuses on every topic that he analyzes. “The Touareg brought me problems. At airport checkpoints you have to explain what it is, they hold you until they look into it. Some distinguish it immediately and it is a salvation. But if they don’t acknowledge it, it’s time-consuming extra work in the shipping process,” Kevin said clarion.

-There have been hard crashes this year, how do you focus on the race so you don’t get stuck in those cases?

-It’s difficult. It was my turn to assist Matthias (Walkner) and I stayed there for a long time, until the doctors arrived. He was bad, hurt. His back hurt and it was obvious that he was in pain that none of us would like to have, because he involves vertebrae (Walkner cracked two). But you have to empty your mind and start with everything. It’s not easy at all, but there’s no alternative if you’re fighting for victory.

-In one video you can hear, when you finished the Dakar, that you were talking to the other pilots and you quoted a sentence that went viral: “I sucked the… the Devil 18 times”.

-It was a chat between colleagues and someone was recording it. I meant I’ve been on the brink of a big deal 18 times. I played several times to push and attack. And in the Dakar, risk is always a companion. Sunday, in the definition, I trampled everything. It was champagne or whey.

-It’s amazing to see them at 170km/h on surfaces they ride for the first time.

-We know that we are at the limit of 15 days of competition. That’s a very stressful 12 hours a day. Search for maximum speed, navigate and read the road map, repair if there are mechanical problems and help if another driver has an accident. Physically it is very hard, but mentally more.

-You said you spoke to your psychologist before Sunday’s final. What is being said?

-I talked more with him than with my family. He helps me focus on goals. It’s an essential part.

-KTM sports director, former rider Jordi Villadoms, said that you are the rider who has trained the most in the entire facility.

I saw the note. I am very grateful to him and the whole team. I trust myself enormously. And I really appreciate it. It is an honor to have him on our team.

-Your brother Luciano won three stages. What analysis does he make of his work?

-I am immensely happy for your successes. Eventually he managed to win the Dakar stages and amassed three victories. Stupendous. He proved to be the faster of the two (laughs).

-And now?

-To enjoy. Days of celebration and celebration await me. But little. You have to be focused on the World Cup. The dates are coming up and you have to live up to it. And one of them will be in Argentina. A unique opportunity to run in front of my people on Desafío Ruta 40.