The next BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy  will take place in Kia Ora, New Zealand – another dream destination for most adventure riders worldwide, with the participating nations now facing a busy time, hosting qualifiers and selecting thir teams for this exciting and unique global adventure competition.

18 international teams, plus, as in the 2016 and 2018 editions, an international female contingent will be selected during the next months, with registration to qualifying events to be announced soon.

2018 BMW International GS Trophy Central Asia

The last BMW International GS Trophy was held in Mongolia

Confirmed teams for 2020 include: Australia; China; Female Team(s); France; India; Italy; Japan; Latin America; Malaysia/Philippines; Mexico; Middle East; Nordic (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland); North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt); Russia; South Africa; South Korea; Thailand; UK and the USA.

BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2020 Oceania. After the long days on the vast Mongolian Steppe of the 2018 Central Asia edition, New Zealand is going to provide a very different riding environment and experience for the qualifying GS riders.

BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy Female Team Qualifying 2017

BMW International GS Trophy

Ralf Rodepeter, Head of Marketing and Product Management BMW Motorrad explains: “After Tunisia, Southern Africa, Patagonia, Canada, Thailand and most recently Mongolia, BMW Motorrad were again looking for a location that offers perfect ‘GS terrain’. Lots of legal off-road kilometres are required, with demanding route profiles, passing through fascinating landscapes and with plenty of exotic flair. New Zealand is a perfect fit on those terms. The variety of astounding landscapes from sea to volcanoes to high-altitude mountains, combined with the most beautiful vegetation and the rich Maori culture provide the perfect setting for what we think will be one of the most exciting Int. GS Trophies ever held.

BMW International GS Trophy

 

The International GS Trophy is a celebration of the spirit of the BMW GS motorcycle, bringing together those elements of leisure, adventure and challenge that this bike engenders.

The New Zealand 2020 event is the seventh edition of the International GS Trophy, the previous editions took place in Central Asia (Mongolia) in 2018, South East Asia (Thailand) in 2016, North America (Canada) in 2014, South America (Chile, Argentina) in 2012, South Africa (SA, Swaziland, North Africa (Tunisia) in 2008. This edition will see 19 teams – maybe even 20 – competing, meaning 54-57 riders, from around the world.

BMW International GS Trophy

BMW International GS Trophy

The event is not a race but a team competition, pitching the GS-riding international contingent against each other in a series of challenges – and not all involve riding. With the competitors camped nightly in a bivouac, the event also fosters a sense of brotherhood, sisterhood and camaraderie.

Equally the GS Trophy is a celebration of culture and nature, the riders learning about and understanding the peoples and the terrains of the regions they encounter. So the successful team will be respectful of the environment, skillful and sympathetic with their machinery and understanding of team-mates.

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