ABU DHABI Sam Sunderland is brimming with confidence having just returned from Spain after a rigorous training session, testing his new bike. He recently joined the Red Bull KTM Factory Rally Team, and the Dubai-based Briton is looking all geared up as he sets himself up for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge which takes place from April 3 to 10. The event is also the opening round of both the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Cup.
“I spent two good weeks in Spain testing my new bike. It’s a very different one from the Honda. The team is doing a great job and I should be having a good race,” Sunderland told XPRESS.
The 24-year-old will be partnering Marc Coma, the Spaniard who has won the Abu Dhabi event a record seven times and is also the defending bike champion. Sunderland had a strong performance last year and was in contention to win the race before a penalty for a technical infringement saw him finish third. “Last year was a close one for me. I lost it due to the technical problem or else I would have won it. So I hope it goes well this year,” he said.
Sunderland added: “Training with Marc was an awesome opportunity and I don’t think I will be under any pressure. Instead I consider myself lucky to be racing in the same team.”
Sunderland is also further motivated, having won the second stage of the Dakar Rally earlier this year in the bikes category.
“To win a stage in the Dakar Rally was awesome. I was told I was the youngest guy to win a stage ever. Unfortunately the bike broke and I could not go any further. Now I’m with KTM and they have good bikes and experience, which should help me in my next big events,” he said.
Sunderland said despite the weather getting slightly warmer, it did not worry him much since he was used to such conditions.
“We spent last week in Dubai training and doing a lot of fitness work. Every year Desert Challenge in Abu Dhabi is always hot and the weather keeps fluctuating. It’s lot more windy and we also have the sandstorms. so I’m aware of it and fully prepared for the challenge.”
ATCUAE President Mohammad Bin Sulayem said: “Sam showed a lot of maturity in the way he accepted that disappointment and quickly put it behind him (2013 performance) and he has a very bright future ahead of him.”
“He now has a wonderful opportunity to learn from the best, and it’s very satisfying to see a young competitor developing his talent in the UAE and earning recognition in this way. We hope he will inspire many other young riders here,” the FIA vice president added.
