Image: Supplied.

Australian Daniel Sanders will take on his third-ever rally as the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship heads to Russia for the 2021 Silk Way Rally.

Sanders, who recently transitioned to the GasGas Rally Team, finished just shy of the podium at the season-opener Rally Kazakhstan after finishing fourth at the prestigious Dakar Rally earlier this year.

The former ISDE outright champion is set to gain further experience in his rookie season as the Silk Way Rally kicks off this weekend, which will see riders take on a 10-day marathon event.

“I’m really looking forward to the Silk Way Rally, it’s definitely looking like it’s going to be hard, both physically and mentally,” Sanders explained. “I’ve been getting in the miles since Kazakhstan, so I’m really happy with how the bike feels and I think we’re in a good place with the settings heading into this second round of the championship.

“Looking at the terrain it really does look like a real mixture, and the stages are long – even when the specials aren’t too bad, there is often some lengthy liaisons to cover, and that can really prove tiring.

“My strength is definitely racing in sand, so I hope we see plenty of that when we hit Mongolia. Up to then, my plan is to get through the first week safely and then push on towards the end. With the added points awarded at this race, it’s important to get a good safe finish, so that’s my number one goal.”

Sanders sits fourth in the world championship standings ahead of the Silk Way Rally.