BMW Motorrad GS Trophy

Back to the Heart of Adventure in Namibia

Nov 9, 2024 | BTA Magazine, 9 - BTA Magazine November/December 2024, Motorcycle Industry Insights & Updates

In the ninth edition of the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, adventure motorcycling returned to its origins in Africa, painting Namibia as a backdrop as fierce as it was magnificent. Over six intense days, the spirit of the GS roared back to life as 22 teams—16 men’s and six women’s—tackled a roughly 840-mile (1,350-km) route across Namibia’s stunning yet unforgiving landscapes. With each challenge, the event encapsulated the camaraderie, skill, and resilience that lie at the core of the GS experience.

A Global Gathering Under Namibia’s Vast Skies

This year, the GS Trophy brought together 190 participants from 34 nations, including riders and a full support cast of marshals, mechanics, medics, and media representatives. They were accompanied by 120 BMW R 1300 GS competition bikes and 32 support vehicles, forming a community united by a shared thirst for exploration. Namibia’s dramatic vistas—towering canyons, expansive savannas, and twisting rocky trails—proved the perfect proving ground for these riders, each prepared to test their mettle on the new BMW R 1300 GS.

As the event opened, riders faced special stages designed to push both rider and machine to their limits, challenging their off-road expertise, navigation, mechanical savvy, and capacity for teamwork. The experience celebrated skill and unity in the face of challenge, with the teams embracing each obstacle with a determination that defined the GS spirit.

Triumph for Team Germany and the Female International Team

By the event’s close, Team Germany had reclaimed their place at the top of the podium, winning the GS Trophy with 283 points. The journey to victory wasn’t easy; from the Bosua Pass’s rocky climbs to the Khan Riverbed’s sands, the German team’s performance was one of precision and steady progress. The International Team emerged victorious on the female front, marking an important milestone in the Trophy’s history. Through each day’s trials, they demonstrated an impressive cohesion, tackling the dunes and rocky paths with unyielding spirit.

Team Germany’s Christopher Michi reflected on their victory as the event drew close, sharing, “It’s an indescribable feeling. We came here to give our best, but standing here as winners is surreal.” This sentiment captured the awe and joy of a team that poured their effort into each challenge, pushing through Namibia’s rugged terrain with dedication and focus.

For the Female International Team, the victory was equally profound. As Małgorzata Jakubiak expressed, “I am beyond thrilled! This feels like a dream come true. We knew the competition would be tough, but to stand here as winners is something I will cherish forever.” Her words reflect the hard work, resilience, and camaraderie that defined their journey through the challenging course.

The Course: Six Days of Pure Adventure

Each day of the GS Trophy offered fresh challenges as Namibia’s rugged landscapes revealed their many faces:

On Day 1, the teams set off from Midgard to Ai Aiba, warming up to the terrain with challenges like the AKRAPOVIČ Enduro Challenge, a tough sandy riverbed ride that quickly established the high stakes of the days ahead.

Day 2 took the riders to Spitzkoppe, where they engaged in the Flying Boxer Challenge, an impressive feat that involved maneuvering a suspended motorcycle across a canyon using ropes. This stage was as much about strategy as it was about strength, testing the riders’ coordination and composure.

On day 3, they looped around Spitzkoppe, crossing the dry Omaruru Riverbed for challenges like the Camel Thorn Tree Challenge. Teams had to quickly and efficiently plug a tire, putting their practical mechanics to work amid the desert’s beauty.

Day 4 presented a scenic yet challenging shift from the arid desert to the Atlantic coast, ending in Swakopmund. This day’s highlight, the Rooi Tafel Trial, combined deep sand with technical turns and steep climbs, takes place amid stunning rocky vistas.

On day 5, the teams covered over 250 miles (400 km) from Swakopmund back to Midgard, the longest stretch of the Trophy. They crossed the iconic Namib Desert and navigated Bosua Pass. The LEATT Push Challenge simulated a bike jump-start, pushing the teams to coordinate their movements and demonstrate their strength.

Day 6 brought them full circle to the Midgard estate, where the Final Course awaited—a tight, technical track designed to challenge every skill honed over the week.

As the Trophy closed, riders and crew alike gathered for a final celebration under the Namibian sky, a night of music, stories, and shared memories that honored the spirit of adventure and the friendships forged throughout the journey.