Photo credits: Red Bull KTM
Red Bull KTM‘s Sam Sunderland, Luciano Benavides and Laia Sanz will be preparing for the 2019 Silk Way Rally. The event will be held across three countries, namely Russia, Mongolia and China, for 10 days. This marks the second round of this year’s FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship. The 2019 Silk Way Rally will begin on July 6 in Russia and end in China on July 16.
“We got the season off to the perfect start in Abu Dhabi with a win, but obviously there’s been quite a long gap since then. We’ve been doing some testing in the break and I think we have made a few good improvements – we’re always looking for something a bit extra and the work on the bike never stops. It looks like the Silk Way Rally will be a good test for us as it’s long and we travel through different terrains,” says Sunderland as quoted from Red Bull KTM. “We start in the mountains on a hard pack in Russia, through the open plains of Mongolia and then finish in the dunes of China. It looks like it’s going to be a tough old race and really long. It’s difficult to know what to expect as it’s the first year for bikes there, so everyone is kind of thrown in at the deep end. But I certainly feel we are prepared. It’s nice to take on a new challenge like this, it’s one of the things that I love the most about our sport.”
“Physically and mentally I feel really good right now. I have been training a lot in the gym and also with my psychologist. After my second position at the opening round in Abu Dhabi, my confidence is high and I’m really looking forward to the Silk Way Rally. The race is new for everyone, but for me, it’s my first full season in the world championship so the goal is to finish the season strong. I think Silk Way will be a real challenge as it’s so long and covers so many different types of terrain. I have been training for longer distances though and feel I’m ready for a long 10 days. The strategy will be tricky as always and there are many fast riders. With this round awarding more points, it’s going to be very important to get a strong finish.”
“I am feeling good right now, not quite 100% but definitely better than a few months ago. I had a small injury after Dakar, which took a little time to recover from, then I started training hard for Erzberg. Following the Hare Scramble, I went back to the rally bike, but I haven’t been able to spend that much time on it. I’m looking forward to getting some kilometres done at the Silk Way. The new race looks exciting and I’m really looking forward to it. 10 days racing will be tough, and the goal is to make it safely to the finish and get some good training for Dakar. I’m also looking forward to being back with the rally guys and the whole team, I really enjoy racing with them all.”
“The Silk Way Rally will be a big challenge for all the team, the riders and the assistants, because we have never been there and with the points bonuses it’s also extremely important for the championship. We arrive at the event with Sam and Luciano first and second in the championship, but we know the race will be tough – Russia especially has some big river crossings and the deserts in Mongolia and China will pose some very difficult navigation. It’s also a big race, 10 days is like the last Dakar and we know that proved to be very physically exhausting for all competitors.
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