One-two for Monster Energy Honda Team overall as the Desafío Ruta 40 concludes

Kevin Benavides has won the 2017 Desafío Ruta 40 title for the second successive year after some splendid performances by the Monster Energy Honda Team rider over the final stages. Paulo Gonçalves took runner-up spot on the podium and improves his position in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship. Michael Metge snatched the final stage victory as the rally wrapped up in San Miguel de Tucumán.

 Monster Energy Honda Team continue to accrue titles and were once again on the top steps of the rostrum in an FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship event. A week ago the duo of Kevin Benavides and Paulo Gonçalves took second and third spot in the Atacama Rally in Chile; today the same pair upgraded to the top two steps with a triumph in Argentina’s Desafío Ruta 40.

 Kevin Benavides capitalized on the advantage gained in yesterday’s stage to clinch top honours overall and ride victoriously into Tucumán – the final destination of the Desafío Ruta 40. The local boy won two special stages and controlled the rally from the second stage onwards. Monster Energy Honda Team companion, Portuguese rider Paulo Gonçalves finished in second place some 12 minutes adrift of Kevin but with a huge 28-minute gap over the third place rider.

 The results of the rally give a boost to both riders in their FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship positions with just one race – the OiLibya Morocco Rally – still to run. Paulo lies in second, five points off the leader Pablo Quintanilla; Benavides is fourth, seven points behind the third-placed rival.

 Today’s stage was won by Michael Metge, marking the French rider’s first world championship win, a just reward for his performances in the rally. Ricky Brabec, fourth in the final special stage, takes fifth overall place in the final Desafío Ruta 40 table.

 The next race for the Monster Energy Honda Team takes place shortly with Peru’s Baja Inka which will feature the participation of Gonçalves, Benavides and Metge and will be held from 14th to the 17th September.