On Track Off Road No. 194

FEATURE
“When you want to start doing
some specific things like getting
your back a bit stronger
– because you can have a
sore back after a few days
riding – then it’s beneficial to
get in the gym,” he adds. “If
you feel that your legs are not
strong enough for some of the
impacts then you can work on
that. Honestly though, 90-
95% of my work for fitness is
done outside. I like working in
the rain and the snow and suffering
a bit.”
Suffering seems to be a common
theme of chasing Dakar
glory, but Sunderland’s preparation
is not solely based on
becoming a beefcake on a
bike. “There is a big mental
side to it with the navigation
and trying to understand your
strategy for the next days
as well as the timings while
you’re on the bike and on the
move,” he says. “I like doing
cognitive work while training.”
He seems meticulous, as
you’d expect from an athlete
of his ilk. “There are a lot of
variables in rally…they also
change! There are always
factors that you can control
but a lot you can’t. So, for the
ones where you have some
influence then you need to
have them perfect such as
hydration packs, food, prep
the night before a stage and
constant routines. These are
factors that should be beyond
question.”