BMW Motorrad is excited to announce the start of the 9th edition of the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, set to take place in Namibia’s breathtaking landscapes and challenging terrains from the 15th to the 20th of September 2024.
The Ultimate Off-Road Challenge: An Adventure of a Lifetime
Over six days, 22 teams from around the globe — 16 men’s and 6 women’s — will navigate a challenging 1,350-kilometer route through Namibia’s incredible landscapes. This event is not a race but a test of skill, endurance, and team spirit, reflecting the true spirit of the GS community as riders tackle everything from vast deserts and towering dunes to rocky trails and dry riverbeds.
To earn their place in this prestigious event, riders first competed in rigorous national qualifying events in their respective countries, where the top three male riders and the top two female riders earned the honor of representing their country as part of a team. For the first time, to ensure everyone could experience this unique adventure, BMW Motorrad organized an international qualifier at the BMW Motorrad Days 2023. This new entry point allowed riders from countries without a dedicated national team to compete and join the global GS Trophy community.
Introducing the GS Trophy Competition Bikes
The 2024 GS Trophy features the debut of the BMW R 1300 GS Trophy Competition Bike, a powerful machine developed exclusively for this event. Equipped with a 1,300cc air/liquid-cooled boxer twin engine, the R 1300 GS delivers 143 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque, paired with specialized off-road accessories like engine protection bars, adjustable levers, and robust cross-spoke wheels to handle the most challenging terrains.
The BMW F 900 GS Trophy Marshal Bike will guide participants through Namibia’s demanding routes. With its 895cc parallel-twin engine, generating 105 horsepower, and enhanced off-road capabilities, the F 900 GS serves as the perfect companion for the dynamic and unpredictable conditions of the GS Trophy.
The Route: Six Days of Pure Adventure
The 2024 GS Trophy route will take riders through Namibia’s extraordinary landscapes, offering a mix of sand dunes, rocky mountain passes, riverbeds, and dense bushland. Participants will face “special stages” that test their off-road riding capabilities, mechanical knowledge, navigation skills, intelligence, and teamwork. Each challenge is designed to highlight the versatility and ruggedness of the BMW R 1300 GS Trophy Competition Bike and the riders’ resilience.
An Event Like No Other
Along with the 60 participants, 15 journalists, marshals, mechanics, medics, partner representatives, and a film and photo crew will join the event, bringing together nearly 190 people from 32 nations, 120 motorcycles, and 32 support vehicles. It is a global celebration of adventure motorcycling, capturing the very essence of the GS spirit.
Returning to the Roots: Africa
The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2024 marks a significant milestone as the event returns to Africa, where it all began. The first GS Trophy was held in 2008 in Tunisia, setting the stage for one of the most celebrated and challenging adventure motorcycling events worldwide. After exploring incredible terrains in Southern Africa (South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique) in 2010, the GS Trophy is again embracing Africa’s rugged landscapes.
Over the years, the GS Trophy has traversed some of the world’s most stunning and demanding locations: from the deserts of Tunisia to the wilds of Patagonia (2012), the forests of Canada (2014), the jungles of Thailand (2016), the steppes of Mongolia (2018), and the mountains of New Zealand (2020). Most recently, in 2022, it explored the unspoiled beauty of Albania. Now, in 2024, the GS Trophy comes full circle, returning to Africa— the birthplace of the event—to challenge a new generation of riders against Namibia’s dramatic and diverse landscapes. This return to Africa is an homage to the spirit of adventure and exploration that has defined the GS Trophy since its inception.
Meet the Teams: The Faces Behind the Adventure
The 2024 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy brings together a diverse group of talented riders from across the globe. These riders represent the spirit of adventure, determination, and camaraderie that define the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy.
