Sam Sunderland to Attempt Motorcycle World Circumnavigation Record After Goodwood Reveal

Dakar Rally champion to ride 29,000 km across 15 countries in just 19 days in bid to break 23-year-old world record.

Goodwood, UK – July 2025
British rally-raid legend and two-time Dakar Rally winner Sam Sunderland has announced a bold new challenge: to become the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle. Unveiled at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the record-breaking attempt is set to begin this September from London.

The 36-year-old, who now resides in Dubai, aims to beat the long-standing record of 19 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes, set by fellow Britons Kevin and Julia Sanders in 2002. To achieve this feat, Sunderland must ride nearly 1,600 kilometres—or about 1,000 miles—every day for 19 days straight, covering a total of over 29,000 kilometres (18,000 miles).

“I know this challenge will test me to the core—physically and mentally,” Sunderland shared. “There will 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 mental fatigue. This, plus jetlag and crazy time zones—it’s going to be brutal.”

Around the World in Six Stages

Starting and finishing in London, Sunderland’s route spans six stages across 15 countries and 13 time zones. The journey will take around 30 days in total, factoring in time for mandatory ocean crossings—during which the clock will pause, in accordance with Guinness World Record rules.

The global ride begins with a European leg to Türkiye, then cuts through the Middle East, with a 2,000-kilometre stretch from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to Dubai, UAE—his home base. From there, Sunderland will fly to the Australian outback, traverse New Zealand, and ride north across the vast landscapes of the United States and Canada.

He will then cross the Atlantic to Morocco—his gateway into Africa—before looping through southern Spain and racing back to the UK for the final leg of his mission.

Throughout the journey, Sunderland will ride the same motorbike—a Triumph 1200 Rally Explorer—as required by the record’s strict criteria, which mandate a continuous route, touching two antipodal points, and using the same machine for the entire distance.

A True Test of Endurance

The challenge is as much about mental strength as it is physical stamina. For comparison, the gruelling Dakar Rally covers around 5,000 miles over 10 to 15 days, with daily riding ranging between 300 and 560 miles. Sunderland will have to double that daily mileage for nearly three weeks across unfamiliar and often harsh environments.

Sunderland, who won the Dakar in 2017 and again in 2022, is no stranger to extreme endurance. But this record attempt takes it to another level.

Backed by Record Holders

Helping Sunderland prepare for the feat is none other than Kevin Sanders, the man whose record he hopes to break.

“Records are meant to be broken,” said Sanders. “We did this more than 20 years ago. Sam’s going to face a whole set of new challenges compared to back then. As people deeply involved in the motorcycle community, it’s exciting to see someone take on such an audacious goal.”

More Than a Race Against Time

For Sunderland, this challenge goes beyond setting a new world record. It’s a personal mission to inspire others—riders and non-riders alike—to push their limits and embrace adventure.

“As a father, a rider, and someone who’s passionate about exploration, I hope this shows people that with the right mindset and preparation, the impossible can be within reach.”

With the countdown to September underway, Sunderland’s quest to become the fastest person to ride around the world promises to be one of the most compelling endurance stories of 2025.