BMW GS Trophy 2020 New Zealand: Day 1 Update

BMW Motorrad has commenced its 2500kms long New Zealand adventure. It goes by the name GS Trophy 2020, and if you are one of those who don’t have any idea about it, read about the India qualifiers here and here.  

Day 1 was about riding 350kms, where 160kms was all about riding in the dirt. In fact, it was quite worse. 160kms of riding in gravel roads and with just 50 metres visibility, blame the crazy amount of dust left by the F850GS. Team India Sathya, Shakeel and Rickey along with Pratheek from BikeWale and International Female Team 2 rode through some vast and adventurous landscapes for approximately 10 hours with some breaks.  

Day 1 wasn’t just about riding though. BMW Motorrad had planned two special stages. The first was about crossing a river, and going through some cones which were tighly placed. Before hitting the finish line, the rider had go cross the river again and go over a small hill. There will be negative marking for dabs and dropping the bike. Here, team India did quite well with just a few dabs and stood 14th out of a total of 22 teams.  

The second special stage was truly a special one. Here, the rider was blindfolded and the 2nd person will be instructing the rider with directions via the Sena 50R Bluetooth headset. Sathya chose to ride the motorcycle, whereas Rickey gave some really accurate instructions. Team India finished this stage without any errors. There were a few teams who couldn’t finish this exercise as a few of them touched the cone and a few fell.  

Team India finished 13th on Day 1 as it ended at a coastal town of Napier in eastern section of North New Zealand and we have a fair idea of what lies tomorrow. Maybe some task on the beach. Or worse, on the ocean. Stay tuned! 

BMW GS Trophy 2020 Day 1 Standings 

1: South Korea

2: Italy 

3:USA 

4: Russia 

5: France 

6: South Africa 

7:Middle East 

8: Argentina 

9: Netherlands 

10: LATAM 

11: UK 

12: NORDICS 

13: India 

14: Mexico 

15: Thailand 

16: Brazil 

17: Japan 

18: North Africa 

19: Malaysia

 20: Australia

21: International Female Team 1 

22: International Female Team 2