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Abu Dhabi, 24 March 2019: When Sam Sunderland sets off in pursuit of a second bikes crown in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Powered by Nissan, the British rider faces a number of battles over five days in the deserts of the UAE.

Taking place under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dafrah Region, the Desert Challenge is also supported Abu Dhabi Aviation, Abu Dhabi Police, ADNOC, Al Dhafra Region Rulers Representative Court, National Ambulance, Nissan, United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and Yas Marina Circuit. The Nissan Patrol is the official car for the event.

Sunderland, winner in 2017 shortly after capturing the Dakar Rally title, will be up against the cream of cross country rallying talent in a line-up of 41 riders for the opening round of this years FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.

None of them know the demanding terrain better than the KTM star for whom Dubai became his adopted home 10 years ago, and when the rally breaks out into the Al Dafrah Region on Sunday morning, no-one will be better prepared for the gruelling test ahead.

For bike and quad riders, particularly the amateurs sharing the stage with the worlds best, the threat of dehydration is ever present in the desert heat, with many facing the exhausting task of digging themselves free from the soft sand traps along the five-day route from 31 March.

All of our races are in extreme environments and its necessary to take care about your fluid and electrolytes, but I think most of the top riders have this under control, said Sunderland, speaking from the KTM training camp in Morocco.

Its normally new riders that arent used to the heat or exertion for long periods of time that come unstuck. Im in very good shape, which is important at the start of a new season, of course once you have won the race once it has to be your goal to do it again and thats what I will be aiming for. We will just have to see how the strategy plays out without a prologue.

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