Dubai-based Briton Sunderland managed to get through Friday’s 12th and final stage of the Saudi Arabian marathon with his advantage at the head of the field in tact, beating Honda’s Pablo Quintanilla by three minutes and 27 seconds.
It marked a maiden title for KTM sub-brand GasGas, also ending a run of two wins for Honda and giving KTM a first overall success since the Dakar moved away from South America.
Sunderland’s first title came in 2017 as a works KTM rider, with the 2022 edition marking his first outing for GasGas.
“Yesterday [Stage 11] I did a good job for the overall [standings], but it was still a lot of stress because the times have been really close this year,” said Sunderland.
“When I went into the stage I saw how much navigation there was… you can’t imagine the stress. The 10 minutes I waited here [at the finish] until they told me I had won, it was a bit nerve-wracking.
“It feels even better than the first, honestly, because it’s been five years now and five…
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