Bike champion 'gutted' to end round-world record bid
Bike champion 'gutted' to end round-world record bid
Ros Tappenden - South of EnglandWed, September 30, 2026 at 5:14 AM UTC
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To beat the record, Sunderland needed to average 1,050 miles a day
A two-time Dakar Rally champion has said he is "gutted" to abandon a world record attempt to become the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle.
Sam Sunderland from Poole, Dorset, began his challenge in Greenwich, London, on 5 September and been hoping to ride more than 18,000 miles (28,968 km) across five continents, in just 19 days.
But while crossing the Australian outback, Sunderland's Triumph Tiger 1200 sustained damage, pushing the challenge behind schedule.
He said: "Of course I'm disappointed. But I'm also proud of what we achieved, the places we reached and the adventure we've had over the last few weeks."
To beat the record, Sunderland needed to average 1,050 miles a day (1,689 km) on the same bike.
The planned route covered Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, North America and North Africa, with the clock paused while the bike was transported between continents.
Sunderland left Greenwich on his Triumph Tiger on 5 September
Sunderland had been ahead of record pace when the bike "sustained damage which led to a technical issue".
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He said he tried to patch up the bike but had been unable to continue without repairs.
In a video post recorded in Adelaide, he said: "Due to the place where we were in the outback, we were in the middle of nowhere, unfortunately we lost so much time that, in one moment, we were faced with the reality that this is no longer an option to stay on record pace, to beat the record.
"We were ahead of the record, we were on good pace. We've come unstuck and this is the reality of such a challenge."
In a social media post, he added: "We did everything we could to keep the project alive and get back on the road, but the time needed to repair and properly test the bike meant the record was no longer achievable.
"I'm gutted, honestly."
Sunderland said a "massive" thank you to his crew and supporters.
He had been attempting to break the record held by Kevin and Julia Sanders since 2002 after they rode 19,461 miles around the world in 19 days, eight hours and 25 minutes.
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Motorcycle champion eyes round-the-world record
Injured Sunderland retires from Dakar
Leader Sunderland retires from Dakar
Briton Sunderland wins Dakar Rally
Related link
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Dakar Rally
Source: “AOL Sports”
