6. Kevin Benavides
Monster Energy Honda Team (#4)
Being a native Argentine certainly doesn’t hurt your chances at the modern-day Dakar Rally. Once held in Africa, the rally migrated to South America, and now spends most of its stages in Argentina. Riders such as Benavides and Pablo Quintanilla take full advantage of the home terrain and have quickly become serious contenders.
Benavides in particular has been quickly gaining status in the paddock. As a rookie in 2016, he impressed everyone with his fourth-place finish, which was nearly a podium, as he battled right up until the final stage for third place. He also carded a stage win in Dakar, becoming the first Argentine rider to do so. His accomplishments did not go unnoticed by Honda, who upgraded him from the Honda South America Rally Team to a factory ride for the upcoming season. Watch for Benavides to advance even further in 2017—the sophomore is likely hungrier than ever after barely missing the podium in 2016.
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