A look back at the 2016 International GS Trophy.

Team South Africa wins the GS challenge in Thailand.

Manoeuvring motorcycles over dilapidated bridges, crossing rivers with the GS and changing tyres in a hurry: the International GS Trophy is an enduro challenge like no other.

In 2016 it was time for the event once again. 19 teams from all over the world rode their BMW R 1200 GS motorcycles across northern Thailand. The GS riders conquered 1,400 kilometres, 19 special tests and seven daily stages. They crossed jungles, dams and rain forests, enduring brutal heat and high humidity. The sixth International GS Trophy left them physically exhausted but satisfied in every other respect.

31 point lead

In the end, John Harris, Byron Coetsee and Charl Moolman were one step ahead of the rest. Team South Africa enjoyed a decisive victory at the International GS Trophy with a lead of 31 points. They were followed by Germany and Great Britain, who shared second place. "It's certainly a huge weight off our shoulders now that we have won the GS Trophy", acknowledged 23-year-old Byron Coetsee after the victory. The team fell just short of first place in 2010 and 2014.

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Every single one of the riders can also consider themselves a winner. The mere fact that the participants finished the seven-day adventure and the tricky tests, including river crossings, strength and agility exercises, is enough to consider them winners. Before reaching the finale of this Enduro challenge, participants first had to prove their mettle in rigorous qualifying events.

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“

Of all the GS Trophy events in the past, the Thailand competition was proof that only real teams with strong camaraderie can win such a tough and exciting competition. ”

Heiner Faust, Head of Sales and Marketing at BMW Motorrad