World Rally-Raid Champion, Luciano Benavides, all set for the 2024 Dakar Rally with a prime Husqvarna Factory Racing FR 450.

The 46th edition of the event is billed to be one of the most challenging to date, with nearly 5,000 kilometres of timed specials and a new 48-hour stage in this fifth visit to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

After clinching the world championship title in 2023, Luciano heads to the 2024 Dakar start on January 5 in the city of AlUla looking for a better result this year: “The Dakar is such a cool adventure for 15 days, where you have to be fully prepared for everything – happy, sad, tired, hungry – some days you just don’t want to race again and your emotions go up and down.”

Benavides’ last three years results at Dakar read DNF, 12th and 6th but 2023 saw him claim a confidence-boosting maiden stage win which ultimately transfered onto the W2RC title.

“When you’re feeling on top, that’s what you want to get back to. You go through so much and feel so much in just one Dakar that you would need 10 years to fit it all in any other way. It’s a race that makes you a better person both physically and mentally.

“Last year’s Dakar gave me a lot of confidence and motivation to know that I have what it takes to win. Winning stage six was something that changed my mind and perspective on racing and confirmed to me that to be a Dakar champion is my dream. Every day, I wake up and think about it! Riding for Husqvarna is really important to me, it’s a brand that I love, from the team to the bike. I will do my best to achieve my dream and make it a reality as it’s something I’ve prepared for my whole life.”

The 14-stage Dakar this year will cover 60 percent new ground and present riders with new challenges including a 48-hour ‘Chrono Stage’, which is the revamped marathon stage where riders are on their own away from service trucks. The twist this year is having multiple bivouacs and riders basically stop where the they run out of time on the day.

Read more about the 2024 Dakar here: 2024 Dakar Rally route revealed – new 48hr “Chrono Stage” in the Empty Quarter

Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager says Luciano had an incredible 2023. “Heading into Dakar 2024, Luciano has been looking super-fast in the testing sessions, his speed is incredible and he’s clearly very confident on the bike. He has made a big step forward on his technical riding, so with the confidence from his world title behind him I think he can do really well at Dakar!”

Pre-Dakar video of Benavides on the Husvarna FR 450 Rally

Photo Credit: Sebas Romero