This year’s Silk Way Rally was the first to feature a class for motorcycles, and has been won by the 2017 Dakar Rally Champion and Michelin rider Sam Sunderland.
Competitors faced a 5,000km ordeal which took them through varied and challenging terrain in Russia, Mongolia and China with Sunderland winning three stages on his Michelin Desert Race shod Factory KTM.
An impressive ride from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Andrew Short saw climb up the field to take second, giving Michelin a podium 1 – 2.
Sunderland’s teammate Luciano Benavides also wrapped up the Junior class, while Laia Sanz took the Women’s victory to underline Michelin’s dominance in the sport right now.
Following his win, an elated Sunderland said:
“It’s really cool to take the win here in China. I’m really happy with the job done by myself and the team – it wouldn’t have been possible without this big effort from everyone to come to Russia, Mongolia and now China. It’s been a huge adventure and one that we’ll all remember for a long time, that’s for sure. For me I’m so happy to get the win, it makes it two-out-of-two this championship and it’s a really important one because of the points earned this round. I felt really good at the beginning of the event and was able to create a good gap. I felt a bit sick during the middle stages but was able to manage the race and stay on a good pace right to the end. I’m really pleased for Andrew, who has ridden a great race, and also Luciano and Laia. Now I’m looking forward to a bit of rest.”
Find out more about the Michelin Desert Race here.
