Samco Sport is proud to announce a new technical partnership with Welsh sand racing specialist Sion Talbot as he prepares for another season competing at some of the toughest off-road events in Europe and beyond.
Hailing from South Wales, Sion has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most dedicated sand racers, competing in prestigious events including the FIM Sand Races World Cup and the legendary Weston Beach Race. Riding a KTM 450, Sion combines full-time work as a groundworker with the demands of competing at an elite level in one of motorsport’s most physically demanding disciplines.
For Sion, motorcycles have been at the centre of his life for as long as he can remember.
“My full-time job is bikes,” he laughs. “If I’m not doing something to fund the bikes, I’m looking at ways to improve them mechanically. It’s always been bikes.”
Like many racers, Sion’s journey began with a simple request to his parents.
At just five years old, after watching a cousin riding a motorcycle, he immediately wanted one of his own. His parents initially opted for a quad bike instead, believing four wheels would be safer than two. That first machine was an LT50 quad, ridden around land owned by his family in South Wales.
However, it wasn’t long before the lure of motocross became impossible to ignore.
On his eighth birthday, Sion’s father surprised him with a Kawasaki KX60 hidden in the garden.
“I remember being more interested in opening my presents than going outside,” recalls Sion. “My dad kept telling me to look in the garden. When I opened the curtains, there it was. From that moment on, all I wanted to do was ride.”
The transition into racing soon followed, beginning at local motocross events across South Wales. Like many young riders, his first race wasn’t entirely successful.
“My first race was at Taffs Well and the weather was awful. There was this massive hill that terrified me. I got to the bottom, looked up and refused to ride up it. By the second race I managed it once, and after that I gradually built confidence.”
That determination would become a recurring theme throughout his career.
After progressing through the motocross ranks and competing at British Championship level, Sion eventually discovered that his true passion lay elsewhere.
While motocross remained his foundation, sand racing offered something different.
“I always enjoyed racing on sand. If there was a sandy track available, that’s where I wanted to ride.”
Regular appearances at the Weston Beach Race helped fuel that passion further, eventually leading him towards the French Sand Championship and the international sand racing scene.
A chance conversation with close friend ultimately changed the direction of his career.
“We started looking into the French beach races and honestly didn’t know where to begin. It took us months just to figure out how to enter. But once we got there, it completely changed everything.”
“It felt like a proper community. Everyone was together, helping each other. The atmosphere was incredible and I probably had more fun in those first few races than I’d had in years. That’s when I caught the bug. From that point on, I knew this was what I wanted to do.”
Today, Sion’s focus is firmly on the international sand racing scene.
After gaining valuable experience in both the French Championship and the FIM Sand Races World Cup, his ambitions continue to grow.
Last season saw him secure an impressive eighth place overall in the French Championship standings, while also finishing inside the top 40 of the World Championship against some of the world’s leading sand racers.
For 2026, the goal is clear.
“As riders, we all want to win. That’s the dream. But realistically, it’s about continuing to move forward, becoming more consistent and pushing towards the front.”
One of Sion’s key objectives is earning a coveted yellow bib, awarded to riders ranked amongst the championship’s elite competitors.
“Every year is a learning year. You learn the tracks, the races and how to manage everything better. Knowledge is power in this sport.”
As part of the new partnership, Sion’s KTM will now benefit from Samco Sport’s race-proven silicone hose technology, helping deliver the reliability and performance needed for the extreme demands of international sand racing.
For Sion, the partnership offers much more than product support.
“This partnership has opened so many doors for me. The confidence it gives me in the bike is massive.”
“Reliability is everything in this sport. Knowing I’ve got a product that’s designed to perform in extreme conditions gives me confidence every time I line up.”
“The quality of the Samco Sport products is incredible, and because everything can be tailored to what I need, it gives me opportunities to develop the bike in ways I couldn’t before.”
While the sand racing season doesn’t begin in earnest until later in the year, preparations are already underway.
Following a well-earned break after a busy campaign, Sion is gradually building back towards full race fitness before entering what he calls “athlete mode” later in the summer.
“The motivation is probably higher than it’s ever been because I’ve had a chance to switch off and enjoy life outside racing for a little while. Now I’m excited to get back on the bike.”
Everyone at Samco Sport is delighted to welcome Sion to #TeamSamco and looks forward to supporting his journey throughout the 2026 season as he continues to represent Wales on the international stage.
Follow Samco Sport and #TeamSamco across our social channels for exclusive updates, race coverage and behind-the-scenes content throughout Sion’s season.
