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SAM SUNDERLAND BEGINS ULTIMATE AROUND-THE-WORLD CHALLENGE ON TRIUMPH TIGER 1200
- Two-time Dakar Rally Champion Sam Sunderland is attempting to circumnavigate the globe in record time on Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer
- Sunderland will cover more than 18,000 miles across five continents, riding close to 1,000 miles a day
- Sunderland departs London on 5 September, aiming to beat the existing record of 19 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes
Two-time Dakar Rally Champion and Red Bull athlete Sam Sunderland has begun his extraordinary attempt to set a new world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by motorcycle, on Triumph’s Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer.
The Red Bull athlete will ride the Tiger more than 18,000 miles across five continents, averaging close to 1,000 miles each day and spending up to 17 hours a day in the saddle. The official record that Sunderland is attempting to beat – 19 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes of riding time – has stood unbeaten for more than two decades.
Sunderland’s six-leg route begins today in London before heading to Istanbul, followed by a section through Southeast Asia from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur. He will then cross Australia from Perth to Sydney, ride the length of New Zealand and tackle the longest section of the journey across North America, from Vancouver to Montreal. The final leg will take him from Casablanca back to London. Throughout the journey Sunderland will pass some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, including the Bonneville Salt Flats, and traverse the treacherous Australian outback.
The scale of the challenge places exceptional demands on both rider and motorcycle. Sunderland will encounter changing climates, unfamiliar roads, extreme temperatures and widely varying terrain, while managing fatigue, border crossings and multiple time zones with up to six long-haul transfers.
The official clock is paused during ocean crossings, but under the rules of the record, Sunderland and his Tiger must complete the entire riding route together, travel in a single direction, touch two antipodal points and be completed on the same motorcycle. Sunderland expects to spend around 17 hours riding on some days, with the cumulative effects of sleep deprivation, jet lag and mental fatigue becoming increasingly important as the journey progresses.
"One of the toughest parts of this challenge for me is definitely the miles that we have to cover," Sunderland says. "I'm going to be riding for 17 hours a day, back to back, over many days. I feel like that accumulation's going to build up and it's definitely going to be tough."
Nick Bell, Chief Marketing Officer, Triumph Motorcycles added: “The scale of Sam’s Red Bull challenge is extraordinary. Covering more than 18,000 miles across five continents in less than 19 days will place huge demands on both rider and motorcycle, which makes the Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer the natural choice for this attempt, and Sam has what it takes to succeed.”
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ABOUT TRIUMPH
- First established in 1902, Triumph Motorcycles celebrated 120 years of motorcycle manufacture in 2022. For more than three decades, Triumph Motorcycles has been based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and has produced iconic bikes that perfectly blend authentic design, character, charisma, and performance.
A GLOBAL BRITISH SUCCESS STORY
- Record global sales of 141,683 motorcycles were delivered in Triumph’s latest Financial Year (FY25: July 2024-June 2025), through a network of 950 dealers in 68 countries, confirming Triumph Motorcycles’ position as the largest British motorcycle manufacturer.
- Triumph currently employs around 3,000 personnel worldwide and has subsidiary operations in the UK, North America, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, Sweden (Scandinavia), Benelux, Brazil, China, and Thailand as well as a network of independent distributors. Triumph has manufacturing facilities in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and Thailand plus CKD facilities in Brazil and India.
A WORLD-CLASS RANGE
- With a laser-sharp focus on what riders across the world are looking for, a passion to deliver the perfect ride for every customer, and attention to detail that delivers the highest quality motorcycles, Triumph offers a growing range of category-leading motorcycles spanning Modern Classics, Roadsters and Adventure bikes. From the accessible Speed 400cc TR series to the Rocket 3 with its powerful 2500cc engine, every model exemplifies Triumph’s iconic style, quality and performance.
- Delivering a fun, agile and confidence-inspiring ride for riders of all ages and experience levels, the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X launched in 2023 with a brand-new single engine platform (TR Series), representing incredible value for money and bringing Triumph to a whole new generation of riders. The range has now expanded to include the Scrambler 400 XC, Thruxton 400 and Tracker 400.
- The Modern Classics feature Triumph’s legendary Bonneville twin engine. Famously named to celebrate Triumph’s 1956 land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA, the Bonneville was the original British superbike and a race-winner straight out of the crate, chosen by famous motorcyclists of the past for its handling, style, and character. Now, the Bonneville family has evolved, with rider-focused technology and cool custom style. The range includes the Bonneville Bobber, Bonneville Speedmaster, Speed Twin 900, Speed Twin 1200, Scrambler 900, Scrambler 1200 and the iconic Bonneville T120 and T100.
- The Roadsters start with the agile and popular Trident 660 and Trident 800, with the sporty Daytona 660 and Street Triple 765 RS and RX, and finally the Speed Triple 1200 RS and RX. For adventure riders, Triumph has a complete line-up of epic Tigers, starting with the Tiger Sport 660 and Tiger Sport 800, moving up to the Tiger 900 range, and finally to the Tiger 1200 range.
- Triumph’s debut in the competitive off-road arena has delivered outstanding results, with race wins and podium finishes for the TF 250-X, TF 450-X, TF 250-E, and TF 450-E, which have all delivered at the highest level on some of the off-road world’s most competitive stages. 2025 also saw the addition of a TF 450-X and two new cross-country models, the TF 250-C and TF 450-C.
- In October 2025, Triumph Motorcycles launched its first electric youth motorcycles; the new Triumph TXP range, powered by OSET. This collaboration with the OSET team, who joined the Triumph family in 2022, has resulted in four new models with scalable electric performance, premium design, and built-in safety features for children as young as three. Each bike is engineered from the ground up with age-specific frames, geometry, controls, and components, optimised for the rider's size and experience.
TRIUMPH RACING
- Triumph has a glorious racing history, competing in and winning races in almost every class and field of motorcycle sporting achievement, from winning the second ever Isle of Man TT in 1908, to the thrilling last-lap victory at the legendary Daytona 200 by Brandon Paasch on the Street Triple 765 in 2022.
- Triumph’s racing legend continues as the exclusive engine supplier to the FIM Moto2™ World Championship since the start of the 2019 season. Triumph Motorcycles provides all the teams with race-tuned 765cc triples, each of which is based on the class-leading Street Triple RS powerplant. Redefining the class, Triumph broke record after record in the inaugural year, including the first ever +300km/h Moto2™ top speed. Reflecting these great successes, the wonderful feedback, and partnerships that Triumph have had with the riders and their teams, and the incredible response from Triumph fans across the world, Triumph and Dorna, decided to extend the relationship in 2021 and again in 2023, signing a new contract for another five years of racing: 2025 – 2029.
- Triumph is working with PTR Triumph Factory Racing to participate in the 2026 World Supersport Championship. Tom Booth-Amos and Oli Bayliss are racing on the Street Triple 765. Macadam Triumph Factory Racing continues with British Supersport riders Brad Perie and Max Wadsworth. Triumph will also enter the all-new Sportbike World Championship with the Daytona 660. On the roads Triumph will compete at the Daytona 200 and the NW200 with the PTR Triumph Racing team, with KTS Macadam Triumph Factory Racing also lining up for a number of stops on the road racing calendar including the IOM TT.
- In 2023, Triumph announced its intention to compete in the 2024 MXGP/MX2 and SuperMotocross World Championships, and after two successful seasons, is racing with a four-rider team for 2026. Jordon Smith, Austin Forkner, Jalek, and Mikkel Haarup are racing for the British manufacturer, competing for the first time in AMA 450 Supercross with the TF 450-X, as well as the AMA 250SX East Championship with the TF 250-X. Triumph will also compete in the AMA Pro Motocross series in both categories. Triumph earned its first Main Event win in Supercross in February 2025, and has enjoyed podium finishes in the Pro Motocross series in ’24 and ‘25. In the FIM MX2 World Championship Camden McLellan is competing for a third season aboard Triumph machinery, alongside Guillem Farres with positive momentum in the new season thanks to podium results from ’24 and ’25, as well as a first moto win in April 2025.
- In September 2024 Paul Edmondson was officially appointed Team Manager of Triumph Factory Racing’s enduro programme. In 2025, Jonny Walker took 2nd place overall in the SuperEnduro World Championship on his TF 250 and finished the 2025 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo on a near-standard TF 250-E four-stroke. Walker went on to win the AMA EnduroCross championship with the TF 450-E. Triumph earned podium finishes in the Enduro1 category of the EnduroGP World Championship with riders Mikael Persson and Morgan Lesiardo. Lesiardo took Triumph’s first Enduro1 overall victory and EnduroGP podium. Triumph competed at its first International Six Days Enduro in August with the TF 250-E contributing to Italy’s World Team Trophy victory with Lesiardo and Team Sweden’s first podium in decades with Persson, as well as impressive top five individual finishes overall. Triumph’s factory effort lines up with Mikael Persson and Jeremy Sydow for 2026, with Jamie McCanney moving to a role as Rider Coach.
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... Rides 201,901 Miles To Raise Money For Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation
Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, is celebrating four world records set by Indian Motorcycle owner Patrick “Vroom Old Man” Cornell. Piloting his 2025 Indian Pursuit, Cornell embarked on a mission to raise awareness and funds for Myotonic Dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that affects the muscles and other parts of the body. Cornell travelled 201,901 miles (324,928 km) across the United States and Canada and raised $150,000 to support the cause.
Over the course of 12 months, the Indian Pursuit, named “Pappy,” endured thousands of on-road hours, changing weather, varied terrain and the demands of an unprecedented long-distance ride. The journey ultimately earned Cornell four world records, putting the durability and endurance of the Pursuit and its PowerPlus 112 engine at the centre of an achievement few motorcycles and riders could match.
Cornell’s four world record titles, recognised by Atlas World Records, include:
- Most Consecutive Days Riding at Least 1,000 Miles (1,609 km) on a Motorcycle
- Longest Consecutive Period Averaging at Least 1,000 Miles (1,609 km) Per Day on a Motorcycle
- Greatest Documented Distance Ridden on a Motorcycle in a Single Country Before Returning Home
- Greatest Documented Distance Ridden on a Motorcycle in Twelve-Consecutive Months
“Pat’s journey is an incredible example of what it means to use your passion to make a difference,” said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “To ride more than 200,000 miles in a year is an extraordinary accomplishment on its own, but Pat’s purpose was far greater than the ride itself. His four world records are a remarkable testament to his determination, perseverance and commitment to the cause. We’re proud that an Indian Motorcycle was part of this incredible journey, and even more proud of Pat for using his passion for riding to help others.”
When asked how he accomplished such an incredible feat, Cornell simply said, “Ride for someone else, don’t ride for yourself.” The mission was deeply personal, as Myotonic Dystrophy has affected several members of his wife’s family, including her four sisters. But as the miles continued to accumulate, Cornell’s journey became more than a selfless effort to raise awareness and funds – it also became an extraordinary testament to the durability, reliability and capability of the machine beneath him.
From coast to coast and everywhere in between, the motorcycle was subjected to the realities of sustained, high-mileage riding. Through it all, Cornell depended on his Indian Pursuit to keep him going. With the power and reliability behind the PowerPlus 112 engine, the machine delivered an unmatched ride that optimized acceleration across the rev range for unrivalled passing power in every gear.
The Indian Pursuit proved its reliability every mile of the journey. Despite long miles and extended hours on the road, the Indian Pursuit performed exceptionally well and required only minimal maintenance. Cornell replaced the stator, changed the fuel filters five times, went through 16 back tires, 12 front tires and completed numerous oil changes. Yet the machine’s original clutch, clutch cable, drive belt and starter remained intact throughout the entire journey. Most impressively, the motor and transmission never experienced a single issue, a remarkable testament to the bike’s durability, reliability and engineering.
“More than anything, I needed a motorcycle I could trust,” said Cornell. “My Indian Pursuit never gave me a reason to question whether it could handle the journey, which allowed me to focus on why I was riding in the first place. Myotonic Dystrophy is a disease that most people have never heard of, but for the families living with it, it impacts every part of their lives. That’s what kept me going when the miles got long and the days got tough. Every mile was an opportunity to tell someone about this disease, raise money, and hopefully bring a little more attention to the people and families who are fighting it.
The world records and the miles are something I’m proud of, but knowing that this journey helped shine a light on Myotonic Dystrophy is what made it especially meaningful to me.”
Cornell’s journey initially aligned with Indian Motorcycle’s 125-year anniversary, as he set a goal of 125,000 miles (201,168 km) to raise $125,000 in 125 days. While the miles stacked, the fundraiser was slow. Cornell extended his journey and ultimately reached 146,000 miles (234,964 km) in 146 days, despite a broken collarbone sustained on the ride. His continued ride ultimately reached 201,901 miles (324,928 km), a subtle nod to Indian Motorcycle’s founding year of 1901. In total, Cornell has raised $150,000 to benefit the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation thus far, with a goal to reach $200,000.
To follow along with Cornell’s continued journey as it comes to an end in October, you can follow him on his Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about Indian Motorcycle, riders can visit IndianMotorcycle.com or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivalled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
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CHARTING TRIUMPH’S OFF-ROAD JOURNEY FROM CONCEPT TO CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING REALITY
- Deep-dive series takes viewers behind the scenes at Triumph, with key insights from Ricky Carmichael, Ivan Cervantes, Jonny Walker, Jordon Smith, and Mikkel Haarup
- Chronicles the brand’s incredible journey from its first collaborations to championship success
- First ALL IN episode premieres on Triumph’s YouTube channel on 3 September 2026 at 6pm
Triumph Motorcycles launches its first documentary series, ALL IN; a four-part programme chronicling the brand’s journey onto the global off‑road motorsport stage.
The first episode of ALL IN is now live on Triumph’s YouTube channel, with the three further episodes dropping in October, November and December. Featuring interviews with Steve Sargent, Ian Kimber, Rod Lopusnak, Ivan Cervantes and Ricky Carmichael, the first episode details the company’s decision to enter the off-road arena, behind the scenes development of the bikes, the impact of the launch on the industry and then the start of the gruelling journey in to the fiercely contested race series.
The four-part series showcases Triumph’s ambitious plans to bring an entirely new and highly competitive contender to the MX, Enduro and Cross Country championships, documenting the determination and resolve that was required to transform Triumph’s significant motorsport investment into world‑class products and credible championship wins. As well as highlighting what the nascent Triumph off-road division has achieved in an incredibly short period of time, ALL IN shows how it will continue elevating every aspect of its off‑road performance and capabilities.
“The ALL IN series shows the passion and pride we put into this project,” said Ian Kimber, Triumph Motorcycles’ Head of Global Racing Programmes. “When we started the project in 2018 we knew we had the racing DNA and the engineering calibre to succeed, and that’s why we went all in: forging partnerships, developing testing programmes, and building a bespoke dealer network for a completely new range of Motocross and Enduro bikes.
“Triumph’s move into MX, Enduro and Cross-Country championships, opened the doors on a new chapter in top-tier off-road racing. The ALL IN series highlights our journey so far and how we will continue to hone every aspect of our off‑road programmes. The journey has only just begun, but we are committed to being at the forefront of off-road racing.”
ALL IN Broadcast
The series will be available to watch at https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/motorcycles/off-road/ or on YouTube.
Episode 1: ALL IN – Without Compromise
It began with a vision: There was a long-term strategic commitment built on heritage, ambition, and belief in the competitive edge that Triumph could bring to the off-road world.
Episode 2: ALL IN – Winning Mindset
Racing validates everything: with insights from Guillem Farres and Camden McLellan, this episode focuses on the challenges as well as the breakthrough victories, podiums, and global credibility Triumph earned in the Motocross, Supercross and MX2 World Championships.
Episode 3: ALL IN – Beyond Limits
Built to conquer every challenge: Enduro heroes Paul Edmondson and Jonny Walker highlight how Triumph's enduro programme demonstrated the outstanding capability of its new contender and its consistent ability to conquer the harshest Enduro GP, Super Enduro and Extreme Enduro conditions.
Episode 4: ALL IN – Commitment to Performance
Everything Triumph has achieved so far is only the foundation: This episode depicts how Triumph’s off-road journey to date is just the beginning and how its unerring focus on research and development, testing, engineering, and long-term investment will ensure it continues to perform at the very pinnacle off off-road motorsport.
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TT legends, TV stars, live machines and two-wheeled action!
The National Motorcycle Museum’s popular Museum LIVE event returns on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2026, bringing together some of the biggest names in motorcycling, legendary machines, live shows, test rides, specialist experts and the Museum’s world-renowned collection. With FREE ENTRY, Museum LIVE offers a packed weekend for motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages.
Stars On Stage
The Henry Cole & Friends live shows return, with Henry joined by motorcycle engineer and builder Allen Millyard, Guy ‘Skid’ Willison and Fuzz Townsend, hosted by TT winner Steve Plater.
Across the weekend, the shows will feature stories, entertainment, special guests and live machine fire-ups. Saturday welcomes Steve Parrish, while Sunday features Jamie Whitham in the morning and TT legend John McGuinness in the afternoon.
Sunday also marks 30 years since John McGuinness first appeared at the Isle of Man TT. John will join journalist and artist Rachael Clegg for a special Tea & TT session, with TT photographer Stephen Davison showcasing his work celebrating John’s TT career.
Rachael will also host a second Tea & TT session on Saturday with Jamie Whitham and TT Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson, with Stephen Davison showcasing his TT photography.
Drag Bike Start Ups
Get ready for some serious noise as legendary drag bikes roar into life in the Museum’s Fountain Courtyard, hosted by former GP ace Steve Parrish.
Among the machines set to feature are John Hobbs’ legendary Olympus and Hobbit, alongside the Double Norton and Hogslayer, with many more spectacular machines joining the line-up.
It’s a lunchtime celebration of the sound and spectacle of classic drag racing – and one not to be missed.
Test Ride BSA & Royal Enfield
Museum LIVE isn’t just about looking at motorcycles – visitors can get out on the road and experience the latest machines for themselves.
BSA will bring their Goldstar, 350cc Bantam and 650cc Scrambler, while Royal Enfield will offer rides on many of their machines including the Himalayan
Torque Zones & Trade Stands
The popular Torque Zones return for 2026, bringing together motorcycle specialists, industry experts, photographers and members of the National Motorcycle Museum’s restoration team.
Visitors can discover more about motorcycle engineering, restoration, racing, customisation and the people working behind the scenes to keep the industry moving.
Alongside the Torque Zones, the Museum’s Trade Area will feature a range of specialist motorcycle businesses, offering everything from parts and services to products and memorabilia.
Get Closer to the Collection
Entry to the National Motorcycle Museum is FREE throughout Museum LIVE, giving visitors the chance to explore more than 1,000 motorcycles spanning over 100 years of British motorcycle history.
Visitors can also join free guided tours with Classic Bike’s Rick Parkington, meet members of the Museum’s restoration team and discover more about the stories behind some of the most important motorcycles in the collection.
One machine certain to attract attention is the extraordinary Millyard V10 Viper, giving visitors the opportunity to get up close to Allen Millyard’s remarkable 8-litre, V10-powered creation.
H&H Auction Preview
Visitors will also have the opportunity to see a selection of motorcycles due to go under the hammer at the H&H Classics auction at the National Motorcycle Museum the following week.
It’s a chance to get up close to some of the motorcycles before they enter the auction and see what the next machines could be to find new homes with collectors and enthusiasts
MUSEUM LIVE 2026!
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October 2026 | 8.30am–5.30pm
At National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull, B92 0EJ
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