BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy Qualifier Kicks Off In India
Highlights
- More than 40 BMW GS motorcycle riders from across India are participating
- Top three winners will compete against international teams
- The finals will take place in Mongolia next year
The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy qualifier has kick-started in Goa today. Over 40 BMW GS motorcycle riders will spend three days battling it out, tackling multiple challenges to get a chance to represent India and compete at the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2018 in Mongolia. Riders from across India rode into Goa on BMW R1200GS, BMW R1200GS Adventure, BMW F650GS and BMW F800GS motorcycles to participate in the three-day event. The first two days at the GS Trophy qualifier in India has begun with training of GS riders, while the final day will conclude with the announcement of "Team India" winners.
Also Read: BMW Motorrad GS Trophy Coming To India Soon
"We are thrilled to host the first ever GS Trophy Qualifier event for India. GS Trophy worldwide celebrates the true spirit of the BMW GS motorcycle that entails adventure, leisure, and challenge. As a part of the GS Trophy, riders will show their skill in true wilderness, riding rough trails and overcoming challenges by displaying high level of unified skill of the rider and the machine," said Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India.
BMW Motorrad India expected 15-20 participants at the GS Trophy qualifier but with an overwhelming response, applications had to be stopped after 40 places had already been filled up. Tomm Wolf, Sports Manager, International GS Trophy is leading a team of international BMW Motorrad instructors who are training the riders and will choose the top ten participants after the qualifiers on Day 2. Participants range from seasoned riders with years of experience and some with bikes barely a few months old. All the participants at the India GS Trophy Qualifier need to be Indian citizens and own their own GS motorcycles.
The best three participants of the Indian national qualifier will go forward as a team to represent India in the final at the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2018 in Mongolia. The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2018 will be held in Mongolia for 10 days, with 7 days riding, two days in- and outbound journey and a day of briefing. The GS Trophy is not a race, but the special stages confront the participants with a major physical and mental challenge. Riders will enjoy a near 2000 km adventure ride, and will compete in a series of challenges that are designed to exercise their intellectual, riding and navigation skills, their knowledge of, and ability to live in the natural world, and importantly their ability to come together as a team.
The Indian national qualifier will be held every two years in India. The Indian national qualifier is open to all non-professional BMW GS motorcycle riders, and will be a multi-day competition with riders scoring points, leading to a final where the top scorers will compete for the three team positions. The winning team from the Indian qualifier will compete against teams from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Latin America, Mexico, Russia, Southeast Asia, South Africa, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States at the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy - Central Asia 2018 in Mongolia.