Red Bull KTM Ready for Action at the 2024 Rallye du Maroc

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is set to tackle the 2024 Rallye du Maroc with a fresh team of riders. Luciano Benavides and Daniel Sanders return to the KTM squad, while two-time Dakar champion Kevin Benavides continues his recovery, focusing on a strong comeback for the 2025 Dakar Rally. The Rallye du Maroc, running from October 6 to 11, promises to be a grueling test of endurance and navigation through the Moroccan desert.

This year’s edition will see riders cover over 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) of tough desert terrain, starting in Zagora and finishing in Mengoub. The race spans five intense stages, offering a mix of varied terrain and demanding navigation that will serve as the perfect warm-up for Dakar 2025.

Luciano Benavides, the reigning 2023 FIM World Rally-Raid Champion, is eager to build on his runner-up finish at last year’s Rallye du Maroc. After being sidelined earlier this year by an injury that kept him out of the Desafio Ruta 40, the Argentinian rider has worked tirelessly to return to peak form.

“I’ve put in a lot of effort over the past few months to prepare for this race,” said Luciano. “My recovery has gone well, and I’ve been training hard, especially with roadbooks, both in the USA and Argentina. It’s a special moment for me to be racing on the same team as my brother Kevin for the first time, and having Daniel Sanders alongside us adds to the excitement. I’m still adapting to the new bike, but I always enjoy this rally—it’s where I have great memories from last year. I can’t wait to get back out there and fight for a top result.”

Daniel Sanders, affectionately known as “Chucky,” last competed at the Rallye du Maroc in 2021, where he earned a podium finish. After several months away from competition, he’s excited to get back in the saddle.

“It’s been a while since Argentina, so I’m itching to race again,” Sanders shared. “It’s been three years since my last Rallye du Maroc, and I ended up on the podium, so I’m aiming for another strong result this year. Racing in KTM colors again is really motivating, and I want to reward the team for all the hard work they’ve put in. Having Luciano and Kevin in the same camp makes this team feel like a tight-knit group, and the bond between us is going to be key out in the desert. The terrain here is similar to what we’ll face in Dakar, so it’s great preparation. I’m really pumped to see what we can achieve!”

Although Kevin Benavides won’t be competing this year as he continues to recover from his injury, he remains fully focused on his long-term goal: the Dakar Rally in January.

“I feel positive about where I am with my recovery,” Kevin said. “It’s been a slow process, but I’m getting closer every day to being back on the bike. The crash was tough, but I’ve kept my eyes on the future, and that’s what motivates me. Rally is my passion, and I’m counting down the days until I can race again. For now, I’ll be supporting the team as much as possible and using this time to make sure I’m 100% ready for Dakar 2025. It’s special to be part of the same team as Luciano, and Daniel is a great teammate as well, so I’m excited for what the three of us can accomplish together.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Rally Team Manager, Andreas Hölzl, is confident in the team’s readiness despite a challenging season.

“It’s been a demanding year for everyone, but the team has worked incredibly hard to be prepared for the Rallye du Maroc,” Hölzl stated. “This event is the ideal preparation for Dakar, and we’re looking forward to seeing how our riders perform after months of testing. It’s unfortunate that Kevin can’t join us, but we’re excited to have Luciano, last year’s world champion, and Daniel, one of the strongest desert riders, leading the charge. We have high hopes for the team in Morocco and can’t wait to get back to racing.”

The 2024 Rallye du Maroc kicks off on October 6 with a prologue, followed by five stages of high-speed desert racing that will conclude in Mengoub on October 11. Stay tuned as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing takes on one of the toughest rallies on the calendar.