BENAVIDES, HONDA WIN
ATACAMA RALLY
K
evin Benavides of the Mon-
ster Energy Honda Team
topped the final stage and took
the overall win in Chile at the
Atacama Rally 2018. Benavides
took control of the second half
of the rally after Rockstar Energy
Husqvarna's Pablo Quintanilla
made a wrong turn on the fourth
stage.
Benavides finished four
minutes and 25 seconds ahead
of the next-best rider, Red Bull
KTM's Toby Price. Quintanilla
(Husqvarna Factory Rally Team)
finished just over a minute be-
hind in third. Matthias Walkner
(Red Bull KTM) and Franco Cai-
mi (Yamalube Yamaha) rounded
out the top five overall.
"I'm very happy; it has been an
amazing Atacama Rally for me,"
said Benavides. "I won three
stages and I felt very comfortable
on the bike, which has worked
perfectly throughout the event.
The team has worked very well
and this has given me the tools
needed for the victory. I was
able to stay very focused and
was confident in myself. Winning
here is not easy; Quintanilla is
very strong. I've been looking
forward to this victory for a long
time and I'm really savoring it!"
Reigning FIM Cross Country
Rallies World Champion Pablo
Quintanilla held the early lead in
the rally, much to the delight of
local fans. The Chilean appeared
to have the race in hand before a
navigational error on stage four.
"I left the track too early. I rode
7km off-piste (off-road) before
I realized that I was wrong and
IN
THE
WIND
P24
PHOTOGRAPHY
HONDA
HRC
Honda's Kevin Benavides
topped the Atacama Rally in
Chile, and is now tied for the
championship points lead.
