Sam Sunderland chases world record on Triumph Tiger 1200

Two-time Dakar winner Sam Sunderland has taken on a very different kind of challenge. This time, it is not about navigating across deserts and tackling long rally stages, but about attempting to break the world record for the fastest round-the-world journey by motorcycle.

Sunderland set off from London on 5 September on a Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer. The aim is to cover more than 18,000 miles, just over 29,000 kilometres, across five continents and beat the current record of 19 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes. To succeed, he will need to average close to 1,000 miles a day, around 1,600 kilometres, with up to 17 hours in the saddle on some stages.

The route is divided into six sections. From London, the journey heads towards Istanbul, followed by Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, Perth to Sydney, a leg through New Zealand and the longest stage of all, across North America from Vancouver to Montreal. The final section runs from Casablanca back to London.

For Sunderland, the challenge will therefore be every bit as mental as it is physical. Long days in the saddle will have to be combined with changing climates, varying road conditions, time zones, border crossings and lack of sleep.

“One of the toughest parts will definitely be the sheer number of miles we have to cover. I’ll be riding for 17 hours a day, day after day, and that strain is going to build up,” says Sunderland.

Under the rules, the official clock is stopped during sea crossings, but Sunderland and the motorcycle must complete the entire riding distance together, travel in the same direction around the world and pass through two antipodal points. The entire attempt must also be completed on the same motorcycle.

After two Dakar victories, Sunderland is now taking on endurance on an entirely different scale. If everything goes to plan, he should be back in London in less than 19 days.