Motorcycle champion eyes round-the-world record

A two-time Dakar Rally champion is preparing for a world record attempt to become the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle.

On 5 September, Sam Sunderland from Poole, Dorset, will begin his six-leg route in London, which will span more than 18,000 miles (28,968 km) across five continents.

The current record – 19 days, eight hours and 25 minutes – has stood for more than two decades.

Sunderland said he hoped his ride would inspire others to embark on challenges themselves.

In 2017, Sunderland became the first British competitor to win the Dakar Rally.

Another victory followed in 2022 and now he continues to push his boundaries.

“I’ve always been one for long endurance challenges, that you have to work and work and work, and it adds a lot of value to that end result,” he said.

“This is a project that once the wheels are rolling I have to try and be as close to perfect as I can until the end.”

To beat the record, he will need to average 1,050 miles a day (1,689 km), all of which he must do on the same bike, a Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer.

He must start and finish at the same location, touching two points on opposite sides of the globe.

Sunderland’s route covers Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, North America and North Africa.

The ticking clock will stop when the bike is transported between continents.

n
• More stories from Dorset
• Watch the latest episode of South Today
• Listen to the latest news from Dorset

n

The current record was claimed by Cambridgeshire couple Kevin and Julia Sanders in 2002.

Even as an experienced rider, Sunderland said the attempt would be “some challenge”.

“You’ll set off at four or five a.m., you get to lunchtime, have a quick bite to eat and get back on the bike and you still got nine hours to go.”

On his journey, he will also pass some world’s famous landmarks such as the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.

“I’m super-grateful for it,” he said.

“Hopefully this challenge can inspire other people to get out and do their own challenge.”

n See alson

n
• Injured Sunderland retires from Dakar
• Leader Sunderland retires from Dakar
• Briton Sunderland wins Dakar Rally

n

n Related linkn

n
• Dakar Rally

n