Team SA wins International GS Trophy
Team SA wins International GS Trophy
By Réhann Coetzee
The South African team that entered BMW Motorrad’s International GS Trophy has emerged the victors – for the second time in a row. This is the first time that a team has successfully defended its title.
The event was held over eight days in Mongolia and 18 teams from across the world – including two female teams – qualified for the event.
The members of Team South Africa are: Chris Meyer (39), motorcycle technician from George; Eugene Fourie (39), systems engineer from Centurion; and Mark Ian Dickinson (33), motorcycle technician from Magalieskruin.
The International GS Trophy featured a number of very taxing challenges, from changing tyres against the clock, to technical riding tests in very rocky and sandy sections in the Gobi Desert, the third largest (non-polar) desert in the world.
The competitors travelled 2 350km during the event. Temperatures were fairly low and windy conditions made the challenges even harder.
Team South Africa led the field of 18 teams from Day 4, but experienced great opposition from Team US, Team France, Tea Latin America and Team Mexico.
Every team had a fourth member who did not actually compete in the riding challenges but had to perform a media function. Team SA’s media man was Stefan Boshoff, no stranger to the GS Trophy himself. Stefan’s photos also did well in the voting, which contributed to Team SA’s score.
The final standings were:
- South Africa – 338
- USA – 286
- France – 284
- Latin America – 246
- Mexico – 236
- Korea – 221
- UK – 196
- Germany – 193
- Russia – 171
- Australia – 170
- Argentina – 162
- Southeast Asia – 155
- China – 144
- Canada – 137
- Ausamerica – 125 (two ladies from the US and one from Australia)
- Japan – 122
- Eurafrica – 116 (two ladies from South Africa and one from France)
- India – 113
More information and images on the GS Trophy’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/831341186879955/