In 2024, the International GS Trophy will involve 60 riders representing 22 teams from around the world. The event isn’t a race, but instead is a team competition where an international contingent of off-road enthusiasts who compete against each another in various challenges. But just as important as riding skill, teamwork is essential and based on past GS Trophy events, the most successful teams are ultimately those that demonstrate solid preparation, excellent teamwork and riding ability.
In October, 72 men and 12 women from across the country made their way to the BMW Performance Center in Greer, South Carolina, to compete in the GS Trophy Qualifier and the chance to represent Team USA at the international event in Namibia.
Spread over the Performance Center property, 21 team and individual challenges were created to test each rider’s problem-solving abilities and technical riding skills. Beginning Thursday afternoon, the men and women were broken into teams of four then sent to different locations on the Performance Center grounds, and the competition began.
With names like Cajun Craze, Water Snake, Spiral Mountain and Australian Terror, at most challenges, riders began with 10 points. As they rode through each challenge, points were deducted each time a rider put a foot down, hit or knocked over a cone, dropped their bike or did not finish the challenge. At other challenges, like the Tennis Ball Challenge or 52 Card Pick-Up, riders gained points by successfully moving a tennis ball from one stand to another or by grabbing playing cards suspended from trees as they made their way through a tightly wooded course.
To prepare for the event, riders like Billy De Wet said he got up early and trained at sunrise as often as he could and spent most afternoons riding until after dark. Some nights I also spent doing "the garage" and "figure 8's" so much that I started to enjoy it. I did about 70% of my training in soft sand because I thought that that would be a big part of the competition as Namibia has an abundance.”
By Saturday afternoon after all teams rode each challenge, points were tabulated, and the top five women and top 16 men advanced to the semi-finals where they competed in the timed, eight-minute semi-final round. Once the semi-finals were completed, four women and six men moved on to the finals where they rode a technical, low-speed course in no more than seven minutes.
While competitors were able to ride their own GSs throughout the competition, those who made it to the final round all rode equally prepared R 1250 GS models.
By Saturday evening, Kirk Graydon, Billy De Wet and Scott Acheson went home as winners and will represent Team USA in Namibia while Emily Wiggs and Jessica Hofherr will move on the International Qualifier in Spain to compete for a spot on one of the six international women’s teams.
As she looks ahead, an ecstatic Jessica Hofherr said, “I am looking forward to riding an incredible two-wheeled machine through beautiful countries with other people who share this love for adventure motorcycle riding. Yes, it is a competition, but I want to cherish every moment and soak in the once-in-a-lifetime experience with other incredible riders as we attempt things we would maybe never do on our own. We don't know yet what bikes we will be competing on, but I know that I am really looking forward to challenging my skills and pushing limits on these incredible GS machines!
Aaron Rankin, Chief Motorcycle Instructor at the BMW Performance Center said, “We hosted the largest GS Trophy qualifier in history, with 71 competitors from 27 states, all pushing the limits of their bodies and motorcycles. The motorcycle community’s family bond and the Spirit of GS were present throughout the event. Good luck to Team USA and the ladies moving on to the International Qualifier.”
