Sandra Gomez shares her thoughts on racing multi-disciplines: Hard Enduro, E Xplorer, and The Dakar Rally heading into Round 3 of E Xplorer in Switzerland this weekend. Currently standing P3 overall with team-rider Runar Sudmann, Sandra has displayed remarkable capabilities on the bike, from winning the all electric Series in 2023, to first female finisher in Red Bull Romaniacs Gold Class, to Dakar Rally debut, and numerous Enduro, Trials GP, ISDE, and Trial of Nations podiums.
Such diversity of experience racing varying disciplines has been part of Sandra’s DNA through-out her racing career. Right from an early age, Sandra recalls her father changing set-ups on her bike – adding different levers – riding on variable terrain to ensure Sandra learnt the art of adaptability, tenacity, and strength of mind to handle whatever comes her way.
Such training ethics has characterized Sandra’s ability to race disciplines which vary in technique, format, and speed. From mastering the careful technical skills of competing in Trials GP, to training for the long, challenging days of racing Hard Enduro, to learning navigation skills while racing at speed in the Dakar Rally – Sandra has gained wealth of experience from one season to the next.
And, there have been many moments when Sandra has reassessed her career trajectory, prompted by a demanding race schedule which has impacted her health. As Sandra states: ”2 years ago I contracted mononucleosis (Epstein Barr virus) and it has been a long recovery. Having raced Red Bull Romaniacs in Gold Class 4x, I decided that was enough for my body and competed in Silver class this year. 4 days on the mountain, pushing the bike, alone, for 10 hours a day is hard. Stepping into Silver class, is very different, the speed of the rider’s is incredible, making racing full-gas which I enjoyed”.
Finishing P25 overall in Silver class amongst a field of 139 rider’s, including 39 rider’s with DNF – Sandra confirmed her decision was correct – clocking 23h 19m 5seconds over the 4 days and boosting confidence levels to compete in additional races. Sandra: “I think I have made good decisions, training for Hard Enduro has given me a base to race for 6 hours a day, and also adapt to different situations – because E Xplorer has 10 minute races. I won E Xplorer Championship in 2023, so I wanted to keep racing this Series, and I enjoy racing as a Team as male and female. Even though I don’t have an electric bike to train on at home, I train on my GAS GAS 300 2 stroke, which is different, but still possible to be ready to race at each Round”.
The opportunity to race with Fantic Factory Rally Team in The Dakar Rally 2025 was a super announcement early in September 2024. Sandra states: ”I really appreciate the call to join Fantic Factory Rally Team of amazing people to race Dakar in January 2025. I know, I started watching Dakar on TV when I was a kid, always waiting for January to come and Dakar to start, looking at the big tracks, and the crazy rider’s on the bikes. I have more motivation than ever to race with a new Team, and see what we can do – as this will be my 3rd Dakar. I will be training hard on a 450cc to race in Morrocco – Rally du Maroc, October 5 – 11 – adapting on the new bike, which will be the final test before racing Dakar”.
Surprisingly, Sandra credits her ability to race multi-disciplines to riding her trails bike at a young age. Sandra: ”Everyone asks me about my capacity to change and ride different bikes. Well, I think riding trails helps alot, as you need patience – which I tell junior rider’s. And, this has been my life – yesterday I was riding for Hard Enduro, now I’m on my way to race E Xplorer, and next week I will train as much as possible on the 450 4 stroke”.
What a mountain of skills, experience, know-how, and mental agility – only Sandra Gomez can share to all.
Header photo: Sandra Gomez credit: Team Graphics: MXLink
Words: Sharon Cox.
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