The International GS Trophy 2024
Skill, endurance, teamwork, and pure #SpiritofGS: That’s what it took to succeed in this year’s GS Trophy. From the 15th to 20th of September, 22 teams took on the challenge over a total distance of 1,300 km. But not just anywhere. In its 9th edition, the GS Trophy returned to the place where everything began – to Africa. In Namibia, participants faced a challenging mix of unending savannahs, impressive sandy river beds, and rocky trails. Everything you need for the adventure of a lifetime!
Highlights
The best of the best
To be able to have a chance at landing one of the highly contested places at the prestigious GS Trophy, the participants had to prove their skills in the tough national qualifiers. Additionally, an international qualifier was held for the first time, enabling riders without their own national team to take part, thereby ensuring that all of the best riders in the world were recruited. Even though every one of them wanted to take home the win, there was no competitive hostility on display anywhere, be it on or off the track. Instead, all of the competitors behaved in a cooperative and cohesive way. Lifelong friendships and memories were made.
The ultimate off-road experience
The ultimate off-road experience
Our participants had to overcome more than just the racecourse. Over the six days, there were 15 additional challenges where riders could earn points for the overall rankings. There, they had to demonstrate their riding skills, agility, tactics, and technical understanding, while working harmoniously as a team. The German men’s team and International women’s team in particular displayed impressive performances, securing them each a win in their respective classes.
It’s a dream come true to be able to be here, be a part of this incredible event, and win with my team-mates at my side, who have become like family to me.
"Christopher Michi
Winner on the German men’s team
Images that speak for themselves
In addition to the spectacular challenges on the bike, the teams also took part in two photo challenges. This resulted in some unique action shots that capture the emotions and the #SpiritofGS in a truly impressive way.
Photo Challenge 1
Photo Challenge 2
Endless gratitude
Endless gratitude
While we are still enjoying the impressions from the GS Trophy 2024 and warmly reminisce about the memories from this unforgettable event, we wish to take this opportunity to thank all of the participants, supporters, partners, and of course, the host country of Namibia. Without this incomparable collaboration and the passion that each individual has invested, there would be no GS Trophy. Thank you very much!
Team U.S.A.
They prepared for this event for a long time – and trained hard. And it all paid off. Our men’s team for the United States of America! These talented riders have managed to beat the competition in the national qualifiers thanks to their impressive skills. That meant a definite entry to the Int. GS Trophy 2024 for Jacobus, Kirk, and Scott. But, of course, the three riders had plenty of time to enjoy the excitement of the once-in-a-lifetime event in Namibia. Get to know the three men a little bit better here.
Jacobus De Wet
Jacobus is 44 years old and comes from Crystal Beach in Texas. The maintenance worker has been riding motorcycles since he was young, but he wasn’t particularly good at it to begin with. An advertisement for off-road training caught his eye, so he took part and was instantly hooked. He became a better and safer rider, and kept on improving. He always wanted to take part in the Int. GS Trophy, so when he saw the announcement for Namibia, he knew: “I have to get on the team.” And so he did.
Kirk Graydon
The story of Kirk Graydon from Simpsonville in South Carolina is particularly captivating. Now aged 57, he had quit his job at the age of 32, bought himself a motorcycle, got his motorcycle licence, and went on a 30,000-mile-long camping trip. His friends called this trip “The Vision Quest”. When Kirk read about the Int. GS Trophy by chance when browsing the BMW Motorrad website in 2017, he quickly made his way to the qualifying event, which was taking place 15 minutes away, and took part in a test training session at the Performance Center. He was immediately drawn in by the GS and the event as a whole.
Scott Acheson
The story of Scott Acheson from Middleburg, Florida shows how important childhood heroes can be. During his childhood, the now 58-year-old winery sales manager attended a Supercross Event at the Pontiac Silverdome with his father and sister and saw Bob “Hurricane” Hannah, who ignited his passion for motorcycling. Now, after many years, he is going to be a part of the Int. GS Trophy in Namibia! Perhaps Scott can earn his own cool nickname soon, too.
"Spirited: Riding with BMW GS Trophy 2024 Team USA"
"Spirited: Riding with BMW GS Trophy 2024 Team USA"
Follow along as Kirk, Scott, and Billy, the three members of GS Trophy Team USA, prepared to represent our country at the International GS Trophy in Namibia in September 2024. Watch as they worked on their skills, trained at the BMW U.S. Rider Academy, and become a team. See their progress on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @BMWMotorradUSA social media channels and as they competed at the GS Trophy 2024!
