Two-time Dakar Rally Champion and FIM World Rally-Raid Champion Sam Sunderland has announced his retirement from racing.

“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.” Says Sam Sunderland in a surpise announcement.

“From winning two world championships to my two Dakar victories, it’s been an incredible run. I would like to thank everyone that has been a part of this chapter and I’m looking forward to staying close to the team and playing a part in supporting their race efforts in the future.”

Sunderland’s announcement comes a little early for a rider still so capable of winning. But comes as no great shock on the back of a very difficult 2023, a year which followed such highs in 2022 with Dakar and World Championship titles, plus his team’s steady decline in recent years in comparison to Honda.

No-one could say this guy has had it easy in his by now long career in what is arguably the toughest sports – mentally and physically – in off-road racing.

Andreas Hölzl, KT Group Rally Team Manager says they, “completely respect his decision and thank him for everything he has done for us over the years. Beyond being a phenomenal racer, Sam is a fantastic person – always supportive, motivating, and a true team player.”

Motorsports Director Pit Beirer meanwhile thanks Sam for his victories but also pays tribute to his “massive part in the successes of the whole team.”

“Over the years, our relationship with Sam became stronger and stronger, and with his move to Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing in 2022, he continued to make history. While it’s tough to see Sam go, we respect his decision. I’d like to personally thank Sam for everything he put into the team and wish him well for the future.”

Sunderland has suffered the highs and lows of this brutal sport more than most across his career. Typically, the dedication to get to the highs are hard enough and the two-times Dakar and World Championship are testimony to that.

But Sam has both had some serious injuries along the way as well as at times appalling luck with mechanical failures plus has seen his fair share of dubious event organisation along the road. There has to be a point where you mind stops wanting the highs so much when you know all-too-well what those lows are like. 

Making the switch from an average motocrosser (his words!), Sunderland first made a name for himself on the Honda team where the early CRF450 rally bikes were up against it competing with the all-conquering KTM squad but Sam won his first Dakar stage.

A high-profile switch to KTM in 2014 brought success for Sunderland with more Dakar stage victories, his first overall rally wins in Morocco (2015) and Qatar (2016) before becoming the first-ever British Dakar winner in 2017 in South America. This in a super-competitive squad and at a time in which the sport and the bikes went through a lot of changes.

Sunderland moved brand to GASGAS and claimed another, perhaps his bets Dakar victory under pressure impressively stamping authority on that race.

Recent years however have seen Honda on the ascendency to stand as the dominant force in Rally Raid right now while KTM Group seemingly cut back with each season.

Competing against such a strong HRC line-up, in a sport which already requires so much risk from the riders at the highest level, brings its stresses and events beyond the rider’s control playing such a huge role, when you’re not on the fastest bike...you can understand a rider saying enough is enough.

All the best Sam. It’s been a pleasure to follow your career from the start to finish.