As we reported earlier this year, BMW Motorrad's International GS Trophy will be heading to Aotearoa next year, and now the German manufacturer has revealed further details for the 2020 event, including a move away from the flagship GS for the New Zealand based event.
The biggest news for the 2020 event is the move away from the R series of GS Adventure motorcycles which have been the basis for all six past International GS Trophy events to date. Instead, BMW Motorrad’s newly launched F 850 GS will be the bike which the international teams of riders use to tackle the best adventure riding challenges New Zealand has to offer.
Kicking off on February 9th and continuing until the 16th, the International GS Trophy adds to the already busy month of February for Kiwi riders.
While the route is a closely guarded secret, BMW Motorrad has revealed that the route is a one-way ride and involves both the North and South Islands.
The International GS Trophy is in BMW’s words “not a race or a rally” but instead is a team focussed event aimed at pushing riders and bike alike in challenging new terrain on a once in a lifetime adventure.
We still have no word is a local team of intrepid Kiwis will be assembled to represent the land of the long white cloud at our home event, but rest assured we’ll keep you up to date with all the latest news on this front over the coming months.
Typically, prospective riders must first earn their place on their national team through a BMW Motorrad event at home before they can take part in the International GS Trophy. Past event locations include Tunisia, South Africa, Patagonia, Canada, Thailand, and most recently Mongolia.
Regardless of whether we are represented in the competition, Kiwis will have the luxury to ‘Follow The Trails’ taken by the GS Trophy with tours following the same route set to be available after the International GS Trophy has concluded.
The motorcycles are the original GS Trophy machines used in the event and the trails are exactly those the event followed. The tours are led by BMW Motorrad offroad instructors, there’s a support team, medics and all accommodation plus food and petrol is included.
More details on the ‘Follow The Trails’ tours are set to be announced by BMW Motorrad in the near future.