Two-time Dakar Rally winner Sam Sunderland has officially ended his attempt to break the record for the fastest motorcycle circumnavigation of the globe after his Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer sustained damage during the Australian leg of the journey.

Sunderland launched the ambitious challenge from London on September 5, aiming to beat the longstanding benchmark of 19 days, 8 hours, and 25 minutes established by British riders Kevin and Julia Sanders in 2002. The route would have taken him more than 18,000 miles across five continents aboard a single motorcycle.

According to official updates, the attempt came to an end during the third riding leg in Australia after Sunderland’s motorcycle suffered damage in the remote Outback. The repairs required to address the issue, combined with the time needed to properly test the bike before continuing, made it impossible to remain on record pace.

“This wasn’t a decision I took lightly,” Sunderland said in Red Bull’s official statement. “I’m incredibly disappointed not to be able to finish the challenge, especially for reasons outside of my control. We gave everything to this project and I’m proud of what the team achieved along the way.”

Before the setback, Sunderland had completed the European and Southeast Asian portions of the journey. His route took him from London through mainland Europe to Istanbul before continuing from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur. Australia was the next major stage before planned crossings of New Zealand, North America, and Africa.

The challenge was designed to test not only rider endurance but also logistics and machine reliability. To qualify for the record, Sunderland needed to complete the circumnavigation on the same motorcycle while covering more than 18,000 miles and adhering to a strict west-to-east route around the globe. While the record attempt fell short of its goal, Sunderland reflected positively on the experience and the progress made before the mechanical setback.

“We gave everything to this project and I’m proud of what the team achieved along the way,” Sunderland said. “While the record attempt has come to an end, the journey produced unforgettable moments.”

The effort also served as a high-profile showcase for Triumph’s Tiger 1200 platform, with Sunderland tackling thousands of miles across multiple continents before the Australian Outback ultimately ended the challenge.