A new attempt after time out through injury
The attempt was originally planned for 2025. However, a serious back injury sustained in a training accident forced Sunderland to postpone it. His planned debut at the Enduropale du Touquet also fell through.
Since then he has returned to events such as the Red Bull Romaniacs. With his departure on the round-the-world ride, Sunderland is now carrying out a project that initially had to wait after the accident.
Around 29,000 kilometres on a Triumph
The planned journey covers more than 18,000 miles, or around 29,000 kilometres, across five continents. The six sections run from London to Istanbul, from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, from Perth to Sydney, through New Zealand, from Vancouver to Montreal and finally from Casablanca back to London.
Daily distances of almost 1,600 kilometres are planned, with up to 17 hours in the saddle at times. Changing weather conditions, border crossings, time zone changes and fatigue make the project an enormous test of endurance.
Which record does Sunderland want to beat?
The target is 19 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes. Kevin and Julia Sanders achieved this time in 2002 on a BMW R 1150 GS. The couple already supported Sunderland in preparing his attempt, originally planned for 2025.
An important caveat: According to Red Bull, this record is no longer officially recognised by Guinness World Records. Sunderland wants to beat it and thereby set a new benchmark for the fastest motorcycle circumnavigation. Guinness recognition is therefore not guaranteed.
According to the published rules, the clock stops during ocean crossings. Sunderland must complete the motorcycle route on the same machine, travel around the world in one direction and reach two opposite points on the globe. The time that counts is therefore not the total elapsed travel time.
How to follow Sam Sunderland’s journey online
Red Bull is covering the attempt on its own project page. There you will find the journey tracker and updates on the progress of the circumnavigation. This lets you see where Sunderland is and how his attempt is developing.
Follow Sam Sunderland’s round-the-world ride on Red Bull now →
Endurance, planning and a long road back to London
For rally fans the project is particularly interesting because different skills come to the fore: staying focused over many days, coping with delays and managing one’s own strength. Each section brings new conditions, while the big goal remains unchanged.
Sunderland has made the start after his injury break. Whether he can also beat the existing record time will be decided over the kilometres ahead, until the return to London.
As of 7 September 2026. The attempt has begun; no final result is available at this point.