It’s back to work for Dakar Rally winner Sam Sunderland! Seven weeks after stamping his mark on the world’s toughest rally event with his sensational victory at the 2022 Dakar Rally, Sam Sunderland is getting back behind the handlebars at round two of the FIM Rally-Raid World Championship, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

As early leader of the FIM Rally-Raid World Championship following his winning Dakar performance, Sunderland comes into the Abu Dhabi event in an enviable position, looking to continue his impressive form, and ready for the sand! With the majority of the race set to be duked out in the dunes, the event should suit the former ADDC winner who excels in the soft terrain. Sam Sunderland will definitely be looking to claim his third victory at the five-stage event and is now focused on stage one this Sunday.

Sam Sunderland: “It feels a little strange to be back racing again so soon after Dakar, but I’m really looking forward to it. I’m always happy to be here in Abu Dhabi, having lived in Dubai for 10 years it’s always a little special for me to come back. I’m really looking forward to the race – it’s normally a really cool event, pretty physical, and with all the top riders here. It only seems like yesterday that we were finishing the Dakar, but I love racing so this should be good. Obviously, with Dakar being the first round of the world championship I’m in a great place, to be leading the series is cool. I just want to have a good run and see how things work out.” (source: gasgas)

STORY: Sam Sunderland Wins Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (March 2022)
STORY: Sam Sunderland wins the 2022 Dakar Rally! First Ever Dakar Victory For GasGas! (January 2022)

photos (c) GasGas