Desert adventure and team spirit
Team USA secured an overall victory in the BMW GS Trophy in Tunisia/North Africa, held for the first time from October 15th - 25th. The desert rally over a distance of 1900 kilometres was entered by 30 participants from five nations, all riding identical and specially prepared BMW F 800 GS and seeking to demonstrate their skills over tough terrain.
The ambitious enduro amateurs from five nations (Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, USA) qualified for the first international GS Trophy in advance in national knock-out rounds. A total of 14 media representatives from the participating countries accompanied the national teams. The latter also rode the BMW F800 GS and so were able to experience the event at close quarters so as to be able to write first-hand reports.
The excellently organised premiere tour ran from Milan to Genoa and from there by ship to Tunis. In North Africa the riders set out on a long circuit from Kairouan via Ksar Ghilane, Tembain, Zaafrane and Port el Kantaoui and back to Tunis. From there the GS Trophy then returned to Genoa by sea and back to the starting point, Milan. During the six special tests in Tunisia, the teams not only had to tackle orientation tasks but also cope with massive sand dunes.
The first GS Trophy was defined by a strong sense of togetherness and camaraderie within the entire group. Considering that only the members of the various national teams knew each before the event, this was a clear indication of the enormous team spirit. It was only possible to survive the challenges posed by the desert by working together. Covering demanding routes through a foreign country, everyone became friends. During the entire event the emphasis was not on competition and speed but on team spirit, skill and adventure. So in fact everyone was a winner and not just Team USA.
BMWs need TLC too!
Tunisia was a good choice of venue: this diverse North African country by the Mediterranean offers not just beaches but also huge sand dunes, salt lakes and mountains - perfect terrain for the BMW F 800 GS.
F800s riding in formation
The rally train, consisting of 35 BMW motorcycles and various back-up and service vehicles, met with the hospitality and friendliness of local Tunisians wherever they went - as well as the local people's enthusiasm for the BMW bikes.
BMW F800GS in the desert
In spite of - or because of - the challenges involved, all participants were able to gain experience and impressions during the ten days which many motorcyclists dream of: a sense of adventure and freedom riding through the North African desert.
Lots of participants for the event
The participants remained free of accidents and major technical problems and the BMW F800 GS showed once again what it is capable of. Florian Baumeister, Head of Marketing of BMW Motorrad Germany, said in Milan: "Our aim is to make the GS Trophy one of the most popular, regular enduro events. Due to the great success of the premiere we are planning to increase the number of participants next year to include teams from other nations in the next GS Trophy."
Details will be published at a later stage.
BMW F800GS - GS Trophy
Final result:
- Team USA (2700 points)
- Team Spain (1900)
Team Germany (1900) - Team Italy (1400)
- Team Japan (1000)
