We did it! Sam Sunderland and GASGAS are Dakar winners
By Press Release on 14th Jan 22
Sam Sunderland and GASGAS Factory Racing have won the 2022 Dakar Rally! Delivering exactly the kind of mature, considered performance weve come to expect of him over the last two weeks, in finishing eighth in todays final stage, Sam has claimed overall victory at the 44th Dakar Rally.
And, at the end of 12 grueling days of racing across the Saudi Arabian desert, hes handed GASGAS their first-ever victory at the worlds most iconic rally raid event!
Sam Sunderland: Wow. What a feeling! That 10-minute period waiting at the end of the final stage to see if Id won felt like a lifetime. But this feeling, knowing Ive won a second Dakar, will stay in my memory forever. This win feels better than the first as this victory was anything but easy. The times were so close this year and there was no time to let off the gas, it was a really close race, right to the end.
All of the hard work, the sacrifices, and everything that the GASGAS team has done for me makes it all worthwhile. Its been five years since my first Dakar win, and its been a long time to wait! Im super happy to get another win and claim the first one for GASGAS. Everyone on the team has worked so hard to achieve this and its a true team effort together we got the job done. Amazing.
Leading the race from stage two through to the end of stage six, the Dakar began perfectly for Sam. Riding flawlessly throughout the two-week event, he delivered the goods on multiple occasions when the pressure was well and truly on. Competitive from the very beginning, GASGAS Factory Racings Sam Sunderland is the 2022 Dakar Rally champion!
Sams second Dakar victory is not just an incredible personal achievement, it also marks the return of the title to the KTM AG Company. With 19 wins in the last 22 years, Sams victory re-affirms the groups commitment and ongoing success at the worlds toughest rally raid.
While its all about Sam right now and his amazing achievement, it wouldnt be right to sign off from Dakar 2022 without giving Daniel Sanders, GASGAS Factory Racing's second star, the credit he deserves. Chucky claimed two amazing stage wins, and on the final day of racing in week one, led Sam home for a GASGAS one-two. A crash on stage seven resulted in a fractured elbow and wrist, but the good news is thats hes had surgery and is now well on the way to making a full recovery. Hell be back at the Dakar in 2023 for another run at the title.
Team manager Norbert Stadlbauer: Amazing, simply amazing! This Dakar was a really challenging race, right until the very end, so to win, its an incredible achievement. Throughout the whole event, Sam was smart, strong, and his speed was exceptional. Im really happy for him and the whole of GASGAS Factory Racing. The entire team has worked so hard to be successful and its a really special moment. Theres no feeling like it. Id like to thank all of the teams sponsors and partners, everyone in Austria, and now, after two tough weeks, its time to celebrate!
Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2022, stage 12
1. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 1:40:00
2. Toby Price (KTM) 1:40:18
3. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 1:40:29
8. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 1:43:25
Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 12)
1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 38:47:30
2. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 38:50:57
3. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 38:54:17
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