Adding even more talent to its global racing efforts, the GasGas factory is excited to announce that Sam Sunderland will join Daniel Sanders under the GasGas Factory Racing awning in 2022.
Undoubtedly a pair of heavy hitters on the rally scene, having finished third and fourth respectively at the 2021 Dakar Rally, the dynamic duo are ready to chase glory in the upcoming 2022 event in January before taking on the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.
Former Dakar Rally winner Sunderland (pictured here) needs no introduction. The Brit has dedicated much of his life to the sport of rallying, lifting the Dakar winner’s trophy in 2017.
Since then, Sunderland has been crowned FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion in 2019 and continues to fight for that coveted second title at the Dakar.
Sunderland was back to his best at the 2021 edition of the event where he remained in contention for victory until the very last day.
With a focus on adding another Dakar win to his resume, the Brit has all the tools needed to get the job done.
Australian rider Sanders strengthens the team for what will only be his second full season of rally racing.
Beginning the year with a seriously impressive fourth-place finish at the 2021 Dakar, the Aussie then went on to claim the bronze medal in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.
Not bad by anyone’s standards, especially for a rookie! We really can’t wait to see what he can do next year with all the experience that he’s gained throughout this season.
Both riders are now busy preparing themselves ahead of the 44th edition of the Dakar Rally, which kicks off on January 1, 2022.
They’ll then take a short break before gearing up once again for the opening round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, which is scheduled to start sometime in the spring.
“It’s super exciting for me to be joining the GasGas Factory Racing team,” said Sunderland.
“It’s a relatively new team but with strong foundations and a lot of expertise behind the program.
“For sure it’s a new challenge and a new opportunity for me and it gives me a lot of confidence being within similar surroundings, so I can focus on the job at hand.
“So far, everything has been really positive. I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent some time on the bike recently and I can’t wait to start racing.
“My goal is to win the Dakar again and claim the first win for GasGas too, so I’m really motivated and excited for the future. It’s cool to be racing in new colours and I’m looking forward to coming out swinging at the Dakar on the red bike.”
Photo courtesy Gas Gas
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