Sam Sunderland: “A podium on the Dakar is never a bad thing”

Dakar 2021 | Stage 12 | Yanbu > Jeddah
January 15 th 2021 - 11:16 [GMT + 3]

For his eighth participation on the Dakar, the KTM rider who became the first British biker to win the rally in 2017 has finished the rally on the podium in 3rd position and is satisfied with his performance.

“I did my best job. I can’t be too disappointed. I tried so hard this morning and started off well, but I couldn’t find one WP in the dunes and I was searching there for ten minutes. It’s like that: when you push the speed the navigation comes down because there is a fine balance. I knew today that I had a big task ahead of me to open and finish in front of Ricky and Kevin. I tried my best, but it wasn't possible. I made a mistake with the navigation there, but I'm super happy. I gave my best all the race and I was the third best guy. The other guys did a great job and congratulations to them. I’m the first KTM rider for sure, but it’s a bit sad for Toby crashing out there, but we’re here, we’re healthy and we’re happy. A podium on the Dakar is never a bad thing. On the Dakar there are so many factors involved to finish in the top ten, let alone on the podium. There are so many days, so many situations and it’s not easy. The best man in the end wins and today it wasn’t me. It’s a race and it’s why we come here to fight. I’ve got lots of respect for the guys and to everybody who has finished. The pace this year was incredibly high. The guys opening the route did a great job. It was fast also, without losing so much time after the first days. It was a really tough race, the toughest I’ve ever done. I’m really tired in my head and body and I'm happy to have finished. It was really, really tough, but it should be like that, I guess”.

Et.12 - Sam Sunderland - US
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