As the inaugural guests on ‘In The Dust,’ Dakar champions Toby Price and Sam Sunderland transport us into the heart of the Dakar Rally, attempting to convey an experience that’s hard to put into words.
“It’s an adventure. It’s hard to explain to people what you see in the races out here and when you’re on the route. But some of the landscapes you get to see are unbelievable, it’s crazy. We’re pretty lucky and it’s pretty special to have that. At the same time, you’re pretty on edge, running at your limit, and stressing about the day just to make sure you get a good stage.”
Toby and Sam, who have known each other for about 10 years, share the same camper throughout the event. Their unique bond adds a layer of camaraderie to the Dakar experience, where riders and drivers showcase a blend of competitive spirit and mutual respect. “We don’t actually race on a track, doing lap after lap, like sending it down the inside of each other or block passing each other like MotoGP,” Sam explains.
Toby chimes in: “It’s not so cutthroat in the desert. You’ve got plenty of room to play and get around, and sometimes you do find a guy that comes a little too close, and you have a bit of a clash together. But it’s not like a motocross track. We’re not trying to kill each other and go for gold. It’s a long race, we’re going to pace ourselves out a little bit.”
The dynamics differ significantly from other races, as in the Dakar, the challenge lies not against fellow riders but against the relentless forces of nature. As Sam puts it: “It’s your best time against the desert and his best time against the desert.”
Watch the first episode “Experiencing the Dakar Thrill with Toby Price and Sam Sunderland” on Red Bull TV!
