Kevin Benavides, leader of the Atacama with one stage still to go

In the penultimate stage of the Atacama Rally, Argentinean Monster Energy Honda Team rider Kevin Benavides retook the leadership in the overall standings as the rally arrives at the crunch final stage.

The 371.39-kilometre fourth stage of the Atacama Rally ran a looping route which both started and finished in Copiapó, taking in Chañaral and Caldera en route. The special saw the riders face 253.54 kilometres against the clock.

 José Ignacio Cornejo posted his best partial time in the second-to-last stage, with a fourth place, just a minute adrift of the stage winner. The Chilean showed great pace and scorched through the race, leaping three positions in the general rankings where he now holds eighth. American Ricky Brabec marked the day’s fifth fastest time, three minutes off Cornejo.

 A sixth place finish for Kevin Benavides proved enough to take back the leadership, as the Atacama Rally heads towards its final stage. Benavides had dropped precious minutes in search of an awkward waypoint located in the final stretches of the special. The Argentine does, however, sport a three minute-advantage over today’s stage winner Toby Price.

Paulo Gonçalves posted the same time as his Monster Energy Honda Team partner, meaning he takes equal sixth place and moves up one place to sixth in the overall leader board.

Tomorrow, Saturday, sees the fifth and final day of this Atacama Rally. Once again, it will take the looping form heading out from Copiapó, this time with a total of 205.54 kilometres including a 154.94-kilometre special.