GASGAS Dirt: Sam Sunderland

The Dakar Rally may get more TV coverage than a greater majority of other sporting events, but that doesn’t necessarily mean its TV audience gets to know much about the riders’ personalities. Which is exactly why the ‘GASGAS Dirt’ series of rider profiles is so interesting…

In Episode 8 of GASGAS Dirt, we get a glimpse into Sam Sunderland’s life away from racing, and exactly what it takes to win the world’s toughest off-road motorcycle race not just once, but twice. We also join Sam at his local indoor climbing centre, hit the mountains on his trial bike, meet his partner and daughter, and learn more about where his rally racing journey all began. And we learn a bunch of things we never knew about him.

For example, did you know that, at age 16, Sunderland spent an entire year off the bike – eight months of which he was in a wheelchair – after busting his leg badly in a motocross accident? Did you know that the gritty Brit now lives in Andorra, and has an army of high-profile MotoGP and Pro MTB riders for neighbours and training buddies? And did you know that, on Day 4 of this year’s Dakar when he crashed badly and knocked himself into the following week, Sunderland very, very nearly pulled out of the race altogether?

This 15-minute edit is a captivating window into what drives the humble 33-year-old to succeed, and why quitting is never ever an option. Enjoy…