WATCH In the Dust – Episode 3: Racing Blood, Shared Dreams on Red Bull TV
Luciano reveals they are “super competitive” in everything they do – from training at the gym together to professionally riding at the Dakar. The siblings have nurtured the same interests since childhood and have been competing against each other all their lives.
Kevin, the elder brother with a six-year age gap, chuckles as he says: “Every day a new competition.” He then adds: “It’s so nice to have my brother with me. This is our passion, and I can share all of this with him. I’m the big brother, but Luciano is no junior. He’s doing an amazing job, and it’s a pleasure to race together on such a high level.”
However, Kevin explains that with the fun comes the brotherly protectiveness and other challenges stemming from racing together: “We are so competitive. But during the race, in the rally, I always look at him, if he’s okay, if he’s doing alright. You know, our sport is quite risky.”
The conversation takes a poignant turn as the brothers recall the painful memory of Luciano’s crash during his first Dakar Rally in 2018. Kevin vividly remembers the moment he learned about his brother’s accident, stressing the emotional toll it took during a critical stage where he was also contending for the overall title.
“It was stage 10, Dakar ’18. There was a big drama during that stage because many riders got lost, and I too lost 15 minutes that day,” remarks Kevin. “When I arrived at the bivouac, I was so angry about that. And when I went back to my motorhome, I saw Luciano’s helmet there and I said, ‘Oh.’ Later they told me Luciano had crashed and was in hospital. It was a really tough day,” he concludes.
Luciano speaks of the ongoing concern for each other’s safety during races, acknowledging the heightened risks in the bike category. When spotting a crashed bike in the distance, he always wonders whether the injured rider is his brother.
He says: “Today [during Stage 2], I started behind him, and the first 50 kilometres were all dunes. When I was going through the dunes, I heard the beep coming from the [bike’s] alarm system – when you hear that, it’s because someone crashed on the other side of the dunes. I thought, ‘I hope it’s not Kevin.’”He then reflects: “For us, this is quite hard because we know the dangers and we know the risk we’re taking.”
Kevin picks up the conversation and tries to brighten the atmosphere with a comment about the tight bond the Benavides brothers share. He highlights the positivity of training together and understanding each other’s spirit and race preparation regimen. “In the end, I believe in him. He believes in me. So that balances things out,” he states.
The episode then displays childhood pictures where a five-year-old Luciano is portrayed posing on his sister’s motorbike, as well as playing and even sleeping with miniature motorbike toy models. The photographs showcase the Benavides family’s deep-rooted connection to motorbikes and the origins of the brothers’ common passion.
Luciano points out that his desire to join the Dakar Rally was inspired by Kevin’s earlier participation. But the timing wasn’t ideal, describing his racing approach as “all in, full gas” due to his Enduro background. Luciano admits: “I was 20, 21 years old, and I believe that to ride in the Dakar, you need some time and a lot of experience. And he [Kevin] told me, ‘No, you need to wait. You need more years to learn and to gain more experience.’”
Luciano then recognises that waiting a little longer was a good decision and that he learned much from his brother. Kevin jokingly remarks: “That’s the first time he says this.”
The Benavides brothers, who share a camper during the Dakar, discuss the impossibility of keeping secrets from each other. Their close physical resemblance, similar bike settings, and synchronised training routines contribute to a mutual pursuit of excellence. Kevin highlights the fortune of having a training partner striving for continual improvement: “We are lucky that we work in the same team.”
As the conversation turns to sharing race-related information, the brothers reveal their openness, with Kevin insisting on telling his brother everything. A playful exchange ensues, hinting at the camaraderie and friendly competition that define their relationship. Luciano adds a touch of humour, saying: “Yeah, if he is losing, then it’s a different story. But if he’s winning, it’s all good.”
Kevin and Luciano are in the unique position of being family members in direct competition – they can’t complete the Dakar and return home both as winners. But there’s a compromise, with the younger sibling expressing the dream of a historic 1-2 podium finish: “Of course, I want to be one, him two,” he clarifies, laughing. Kevin points his finger to himself and says, ‘One’, and the finger to Luciano, ‘Two.’ The brothers finally agree that, regardless of the outcome, it will be a massive win for the Benavides family.
The third episode of ‘In The Dust’ wraps up with hopes of “big celebrations and big parties,” and underscores that through Kevin and Luciano Benavides, the Dakar Rally can indeed be a family affair.
