SAM SUNDERLAND ATTEMPTS WORLD RECORD

Two-time Dakar Rally Champion, Red Bull athlete and Triumph Ambassador Sam Sunderland has revealed his latest sporting mission: to become the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle. The British rider has set his sights on breaking the current record of 19 days, 8 hours, and 25 minutes set in 2002. Sunderland will need to ride the equivalent of the length of the UK every single day – averaging nearly 1600km daily, for 19 days straight, and all aboard the very same bike, which will be the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer.

The ultimate test of endurance, the challenge is a trial of both physical and mental strength, with Sunderland battling the elements, road conditions, and unknown terrain. He will enter more than 15 countries across five continents, starting and ending his journey in London, UK. 

When talking about the project as an athlete, a champion, and a father, Sunderland notes the wish to create a legacy that extends beyond the world of rally raid and off-road racing, aiming to inspire people to pursue adventures of their own, and to push past their limits and redefine what they think is possible.

“I know this challenge will test me to the core – physically and mentally,” Sunderland said. To break the world record for the fastest global circumnavigation, Sunderland is going to need to ride for double the daily distance of the Dakar, and for an increased number of days. For context, the Dakar Rally is ridden mostly off-road, with a total distance of around 8046km, and takes between 10 to 15 days to complete with competitors riding some 480 to 804 kilometres per day.

“There’ll be days when I’m out there for 15 or 16 hours in the cold and rain, heat and humidity, fighting the wind, battling exhaustion, and the mental fatigue. This, plus jet-lag, and crazy time zones – it’s going to be brutal.” Sunderland is expected to cross 13 different time zones during his journey. 

“But that’s exactly why I’m doing it. I thrive on the unknown – figuring things out as I go. I’m not here to just edge past the record. I want to set a new bar, one that makes the next person really earn it, just like I have to now.”

Sunderland’s journey begins in his homeland of England, marking the first leg of a six-stage global adventure. From there, he’ll traverse Europe enroute to Turkey, then head into the heart of the Middle East, riding some 1930km from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.

After a long-haul transfer, the expedition continues through the remote outback of Australia and the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand. From there, he’ll head north to tackle the vast terrains of the US and Canada. His path then leads to Morocco, his gateway into Africa, before looping back into Europe through southern Spain and finally making his sprint home to the UK.

THE CHALLENGE

An epic feat, Sam’s challenge will stay true to the parameters of the record set 20 years ago. Per these conditions, the time he’s trying to beat excludes ocean crossings, during which the official clock is paused.

Tougher still, Sam’s journey must be continuous and follow a single direction around the globe. He must start and finish at the same location, touch two antipodal points (locations on earth that are diametrically opposed to one another) and cover a minimum of 18,000 miles. All this he must do on the same bike – a Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer.

Triumph Motorcycles’ Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud commented: “This is a hugely challenging undertaking for Sam and the Red Bull team, who are attempting to beat a record that has remained unbroken for more than 20 years. Sam’s determination and focus will be well matched by the performance and capability of the Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer, which is the ideal ride for such an epic adventure. We wish him every success as he travels across the globe.”

The record Sam is challenging was set by Britons Kevin and Julia Sanders, who hold the official Guinness World Records adjudicated title. Of the feat, Kevin Sanders said: “Records are meant to be broken. We did this more than 20 years ago – Sam’s going to face a whole set of new challenges compared to back then.” The Sanders’ have supported Sam’s feat by providing insight into their record-breaking journey, and the parameters required to make a true circumnavigation. 

“As people with a business within the motorcycle community, it’s always exciting to see riders take on new challenges, or challenge old ones! We’re really keen to see how Sam does.”

The record Sam is challenging is 19 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes of riding time. The clock stops when he/his bike are transiting over ocean, i.e. when on a plane to his next destination. Sunderland’s journey will kick off this September.