Sam Sunderland to ride a Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer in around the world record attempt

Two-time Dakar Rally champion Sam Sunderland will take on a world record attempt in September that he was due to try in 2025, before suffering a broken back. 

Sunderland will attempt to become the fastest rider ever to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle, with the time to beat currently standing at 19 days, eight hours, and 25 minutes. 

Sunderland will begin his world record attempt in London, where he will depart aboard a Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer, on September 5. The record time that Sunderland will attempt to beat has stood for more than two decades, and represents a huge challenge. 

To beat the record, Sunderland will need to ride more than 18,000 miles across five different continents, which includes crossing two antipodes and averaging close to 1,000 miles a day. To make sense of these numbers, it is the equivalent of riding the full length of the UK every day. 

The challenge will be anything but straightforward for Sunderland, though, who will likely be faced with changing climates, while also navigating several border crossings, differing time zones, and fighting against extreme fatigue. 

Speaking about the challenge that he was originally planning to take on in 2025, Sunderland said: 

"I've spent months thinking about this challenge while focusing on getting myself fit again. Breaking my back was never part of the plan, but in many ways it reinforced why I want to do this. Challenges don't always happen when everything is perfect, they're about how you respond when things don't go your way.” 

“I'm back on the bike, I'm feeling strong again, and now all my focus is on getting to the start line and giving absolutely everything to this record."

As part of his journey, Sunderland will leave London in the direction of Istanbul, Turkey, before continuing through Southeast Asia from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur. Sunderland will then cross into Australia with a trip from Perth to Sydney before riding the entire length of New Zealand. 

One of the most demanding sections of the world record attempt will follow after that, with Sunderland set to tackle the longest section of the journey across North America. The final leg of his attempt will see Sunderland ride from Casablanca, Morocco back to London. 

Sunderland is also expected to pass by some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, including the Bonneville Salt Flats, and the Australian outback. 

Sunderland went on to add:

"This isn't just about riding a motorcycle. It's about managing sleep deprivation, making decisions when you're exhausted, adapting to whatever the road throws at you and continuing to move forward every single day.” 

"After everything that's happened over the past year, I am more excited than ever. Getting to the start line feels like a victory in itself, but I'm not setting off just to finish. I'm going to try and set a benchmark that stands for years."

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