Legendary British Rally Racer Sam Sunderland Retires from Professional Motorcycle Racing
In a momentous announcement, British rally raid superstar Sam Sunderland has confirmed his retirement from professional motorcycle racing, bringing an end to an illustrious career that saw him conquer the Dakar Rally twice and clinch the inaugural World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) title.
Sunderland, who hails from Dubai, had been a dominant force in the world of cross-country rallying for over a decade. The 33-year-old’s decision to hang up his helmet comes after a series of medical setbacks in recent years, including issues with his vision that forced him to withdraw from the Desafío Ruta 40 in June and the 2023 Rallye du Maroc.
“It is with gratitude, humility, a bit of sadness, but without regret, that I announce my retirement from motorcycle racing after having a career that I dreamed of once upon a time,” Sunderland said in a heartfelt statement. “From winning two world championships to my two Dakar victories, it’s been an incredible run.”
Sunderland’s rally raid journey began in 2009 after a promising motocross career was derailed by injury. He quickly rose through the ranks, making his Dakar debut in 2012 and securing his first stage win two years later as a member of Honda’s factory rally raid programme. His big breakthrough came in 2017, when he became the first British competitor to win the prestigious Dakar Rally.
Despite facing his fair share of ups and downs at the legendary event, Sunderland’s Dakar résumé is truly remarkable. He reached the finish line just four times out of eleven attempts, but those finishes saw him claim victories in 2017 and 2022, as well as third-place finishes in 2019 and 2021.
In 2022, Sunderland joined the Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing team, where he capped off his career by winning the Dakar and the inaugural W2RC. “Beyond being a phenomenal racer, Sam is a fantastic person; always supportive, motivating, and a true team player,” commented team manager Andreas Hölzl. “He is a huge part of the GasGas family, and we look forward to working with him again in new and exciting ways in the future.”
Sunderland’s retirement marks the end of an era in the world of rally raid racing. As the sport continues to evolve, his legacy as a two-time Dakar champion and inaugural W2RC winner will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of cross-country rally enthusiasts and competitors.
🔗 Source