Two-time Dakar Rally champion Sam Sunderland has returned to pursue his goal of achieving the fastest circumnavigation of the globe on a motorcycle, following a full recovery from the broken back that compelled him to delay his record attempt last year.
Supported by Red Bull and Triumph Motorcycles, Sunderland is scheduled to depart from England in September aboard a Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer, aiming to break the record of 19 days, eight hours, and 25 minutes set by British duo Kevin and Julia Sanders in 2002. To achieve this feat, the Red Bull athlete must travel over 18,000 miles across five continents, maintain a single direction around the globe, start and finish at the same location, and reach two antipodal points—places situated diametrically opposite each other on the planet. This challenge equates to an average of approximately 1,050 miles per day, roughly the length of the United Kingdom, sustained for 19 consecutive days. “It’s quite different,” he told MCN. “At Dakar, you’re fueled by adrenaline every day, surrounded by competitors, navigating off-road terrain. Here, it’s a monumental task, but without that adrenaline rush or direct competition. It’s just me, myself, and the bike.”
The challenge first kicked off at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed but was put on hold after Sunderland broke his back during a training crash. After months of rehab, he says he’s now fully recovered. “I’m good,” he said. “I visited the guys at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre, did all the scans, got checked out, and I’m back to a hundred, let’s say.” As part of his comeback, he took on the notoriously tough Romaniacs hard enduro riding a Triumph Tiger 900. “It’s a great test to throw yourself through the Romanian hills for four days,” he said. “Trust me, it was still pretty technical for the 900.” The crash hasn’t changed how he’s preparing this time, though he admits, “I’ve been focusing on some rehab, mostly to get my back and neck strong again. After you break your back, it never heals exactly the same.”
The record attempt will be undertaken on a Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer adorned with a Red Bull livery. Sunderland characterized the motorcycle as perfectly suited for the task, citing its cruise control and substantial fuel capacity as key advantages, while humorously remarking that he is “just a passenger.”
Modifications are minimal, with the panniers customized to accommodate media equipment and the standard exhaust replaced by an Akrapovič system. Beyond these changes, the motorcycle remains in its original specification, including the factory-fitted Michelin tyres.
Sunderland is aiming for Sanders’ record time, which he considers the most credible benchmark. “It was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records and held for 20 years,” he explained. “We are working to replicate those exact rules and regulations, as it appears to be the most thoroughly validated record in existence, and that has been our objective from the outset.” However, Guinness will not officially endorse the attempt, as its current guidelines no longer support record bids requiring high average speeds on public roads. Sunderland also expressed admiration for the recent Ducati-supported endeavor by Ryan Kluftinger, in which the clock ran continuously while the team covered extensive distances and coordinated flights. Nonetheless, he emphasized that Kluftinger’s effort differed from his own and did not persuade him to change his goal. “It was incredibly impressive,” he acknowledged. “But our focus has always remained on the original officially certified world record, and that has never changed.”
Red Bull has managed much of the logistical planning, including route plotting, securing visas, and arranging carnets for the motorcycle, while also consulting the Sanders for their expertise. Sunderland intends to speak with the couple personally before his departure, noting that they have been “super kind and forthcoming with information” and had encouraged him with the sentiment that “records are made to be broken,” as he shared with MCN at Goodwood last year. Nearly the entire route will be on tarmac, with Sunderland estimating, “I’m 99.9% sure we’re always on the road,” emphasizing that “the best place to accumulate miles is on the road.” Despite the extensive preparation and paperwork, Sunderland acknowledges that the true challenge will be mental. He anticipates inevitable obstacles over such a distance, including potential empty fuel stops in the Australian outback, border delays, mechanical problems, and interactions with other road users. The prolonged hours of solitude will also pose a test, prompting him to plan calls to friends along the way “to keep me entertained.”
After completing four intense test days, he’s well aware of the toll it takes. “By the end of a day’s mileage, you’re knackered, I promise you,” he said. “Doing 1,050 miles in a single day is one thing – most people can dig deep to manage that – but doing it back-to-back across different countries is no small feat.” When asked where he finds the resilience to race Dakar, travel the world, or recover from severe injuries, he credits it to the competitive spirit he’s always had. “I don’t think you change much,” he said. “From the start, I always wanted to win – I had that strong drive, so maybe I was quite competitive. And I’ve always loved adventures. I enjoy being thrown into the unknown, discovering new places, meeting people, and hearing their stories. That kind of thing excites me.”
He ultimately hopes that his endeavour will inspire others to get out and ride. “For it to be truly admired, it must present a genuine challenge,” he remarked. “It cannot simply be a routine commute to work, as that is something many people already do. You need to undertake something that demands grit and determination, prompting others to think, ‘Wow, that’s 1,000 miles—how did you accomplish that? If you can achieve that, what’s stopping me from heading up to Scotland for the weekend with friends?’ I believe it’s a wonderful idea—encouraging people to spend more time outdoors.”
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