(DE)
Team Argentinien führt!
Das Warten hat ein Ende für die Teilnehmer, die Organisatoren und die Fans auf der ganzen Welt: Denn die International BMW Motorrad GS Trophy 2016 ist jetzt offiziell im Gange. Am Sonntag, 28. Februar, um 08.30 Uhr erwachte der Rim Doi Resort in Chiang Doi durch die Motoren von über 100 BMW R 1200 GS Maschinen. 19 internationale Teams, Journalisten und Marschals signalisierten mit dieser ersten Fahrt, dass die Veranstaltung jetzt begonnen hat.
Die Teilnehmer kamen aus der ganzen Welt für diesen einzigartigen Motorrad-Wettbewerb. Die Gemeinschaft der Mitwirkenden ist geprägt von der Leidenschaft für GS-Motorräder und Abenteuerreisen. Ihr erster Eindruck von Thailand auf zwei Rädern war das Fahren auf der linken Seite der Straße. Doch mehr Sorgen bereiteten den Fahrern die Straßen, denn über Nacht hatte der Regen den ersten Offroad-Abschnitt unpassierbar gemacht.
Aus diesem Grund wurden die Fahrer auf einer hügeligen 4x4-Strecke umgeleitet, die nach 50 Kilometern zur ersten Sonderprüfung führte. Auf dem Weg dorthin fuhren die Konkurrenten an Reisfeldern und kleinen Dörfern vorbei. Gelegentlich konnten Elefanten und Wasserbüffel erblickt werden, bevor die GS-Fahrer an der „Special Stage“, genauer gesagt an der "Broken Bridge", angekommen waren. Die Aufgabe erschien zunächst sehr einfach, doch war es letztendlich alles andere als das... Während der Motor lief, mussten die Teams zwei Bikes einen Weg hinab zur „Broken Bridge“ leiten. Dort angekommen wurden die Motorräder über die winkelige, durchgebrochene Brücke manövriert und anschließend mit vereinten Kräften die ein Meter tiefe Kluft zwischen Brücke und Straße hinunter getragen.
Die Unterstützung der Teams war fantastisch. Besonders das Trio der weiblichen Fahrerinnen war bei ihrer ersten Int. GS Trophy-Aufgabe überwältigt, wie viel Jubel und Ermutigung sie von den Jungs erhielten.
Die Aufgabe „Broken Bridge" lief gegen die Zeit und der klare Sieger war das Team Deutschland. Eine weitere „Special Stage" erwartete die Teams noch im Laufe des Tages. Zunächst konnten die Teilnehmer einen 57 Kilometer langen Fahrabschnitt genießen. Die nächste Sonderprüfung hieß "Slow Race" und war eine Challenge auf einem sandigen Straßenrand. Die Fahrer mussten so langsam wie möglich von Punkt A nach Punkt B fahren. Abzüge gab es, wenn sie den Boden berührten oder der Motor abgewürgt wurde. Die Zeiten der einzelnen Fahrer wurden für das Gesamtergebnis addiert. Der Sieg gehörte dem Team Südafrika, die wesentlich mehr Zeit rausholen konnten, als ihre Konkurrenten.
Nach Ende dieser Challenge fuhren die Teilnehmer eine 63 Kilometer lange Strecke. Diese Route brachte die Fahrer zu einem spektakulären Aussichtspunkt mit Pässen, Dorfmärkten und thailändischem Straßenessen.
Nach einem köstlichen Abendessen aus der Küche des Hotels Shangri-La in Chiang Mai, wurden die Ergebnisse der Teams veröffentlicht. Obwohl sie nicht beide Prüfungen gewonnen haben, hat das Team Argentinien die Tabellenführung übernommen. Nach dem ersten Tag des Wettbewerbs zeigten die drei Teammitglieder, dass die Zusammensetzung des Teams der Schlüssel zum GS Trophy-Erfolg sein könnte.
Gaston Quiroga aus Argentina: „Das war ein guter Tag für uns. Wir haben die Fahrt am Morgen sehr genossen. Es war etwas Besonderes, Elefanten zu sehen und die Strecken führten uns tief in die ländlichen Regionen Thailands, weit weg von den Wanderwegen. Wir hatten zwei gute Aufgaben. Auf der ‚Broken Bridge’ war es wichtig, den Ablauf der Motorräder logisch zu managen. Wir haben uns die Technik von Deutschland angeschaut und das war eine große Hilfe. Wir waren begeistert, so gut in dem ‚Slow Race’ gewesen zu sein - Auch wenn ich am Ende Angst um mein Motorrad hatte. Am Ende des Tages zu führen ist eine wunderbare Überraschung. Wir steigen heute Abend mit einem Lächeln in unsere Schlafsäcke!"
Die Ergebnisse des ersten Tages von der Int. GS Trophy 2016:
1. Argentinien (36)
2. UK (34)
3. Südafrika (32)
4. Deutschland (30)
4. Italien ( 30)
6. Mexiko ( 29)
7. Frankreich (27)
8. Lateinamerika (26)
9. CEEU (25)
10. China ( 24)
11. Kanada (22)
12. Brasilien (18)
13. USA (17)
14. Internationales Frauenteam (16)
15. Japan (12)
15. Russland (12)
17. Südkorea (10)
18. Alps (9)
18. Südostasien (9)
(EN)
Team Argentina early leaders!
The wait is finally over for the competitors, the organisers and the fans following around the world, because the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2016 is now officially underway! At 08.30 local time on Sunday 28 February, the Rim Doi resort in Chiang Doi came alive to the welcome rumble of over 100 BMW R 1200 GS engines starting up, as 19 multi-national teams of riders, journalists and marshals were waved off in the traditional Trophy way to signify that the 2016 event had well and truly begun.
They had travelled in from across the globe for this unique amateur motorcycling competition, but on this first morning the competitors were all riding 'as one', united as a community by a passion for GS motorcycles and adventure travel. Their first taste of Thailand on two wheels was, for many, the first time that they had ridden on the left side of the road, but in truth that was the least of their worries, as heavy overnight rain had rendered the first off-road section of the Trophy impassable.
Therefore, after a short spell on tarmac the riders were directed along an undulating 4x4 track that led for 50 kilometres to the location for the first special test. Along the way the competitors rode past rice fields and tiny villages, with the occasional glimpses of elephants and water buffaloes, before arriving at the Special Stage, known as 'Broken Bridge'. Here, the task looked simple, yet was anything but... Teams had to walk two bikes (with the engines running) down a track leading to the remains of a bridge, then push the bikes up and over an angled bridge section before lowering them over a metre to the ground below.
What was fantastic to witness was the huge level of support for all the teams, by all the teams. This was especially evident for the trio of female riders (and their female embedded journalist) competing in their first GS Trophy, who were overwhelmed by how much cheering and encouragement they received from all the guys representing the 'rest of the world'.
This Special Stage was timed against the clock and the clear victors were Team Germany, displaying ruthless efficiency. There was another Special Stage in store for the teams later in the day, but first they were able to enjoy a 57km section of trail that had for the most part dried out nicely despite the unseasonable rainfall, with only a few tricky wet clay sections to overcome or enjoy, depending on your perspective.
The second Special consisted of a 'slow race', battled out on a sandy roadside layby, with each team lining up three abreast to literally take the longest time to ride from point A to point B, with penalties for feet down or stalling the engine. All three riders' times were then added together to determine the result, which saw a comprehensive victory for Team South Africa, who were considerably 'slower' than their nearest challengers.
On completion of the slow race, the final 63 kilometres liaison treated the participants to some spectacular views, with mountain passes, village markets and the aromas of Thai street food almost as enticing as the wonderful section of twisting, winding asphalt that transported the Trophy competitors into a beautiful valley, bordered by forested mountains, towards their overnight stop at Pai, with big smiles on their faces.
After a delicious dinner catered for by the travelling kitchens of the Shangri-La Chiang Mai, there was a country presentation by the teams themselves before the all-important 'results of the day' were announced. Despite not having won either of the day's two Specials, it is Team Argentina who lead the standings after the first day of competition, with their pair of top-three finishes clearly showing that consistency might well be the key to GS Trophy success.
Gaston Quiroga, Team Argentina: “This was a good day for us, we really enjoyed the ride in the morning, seeing the elephants was special, and the 4x4 track took us deep into the countryside, this was amazing rural Thailand, far from the tourist trail. We had two good tests too, on Broken Bridge it was important to manage the progress of the bikes logically, we copied the technique Germany used and that was a great help. We were delighted to do so well in the slow race although I was fearing for my bike by the end, with the engine racing and slipping the clutch it's hard on a bike. To be leading is a wonderful surprise. We're going to our sleeping bags tonight with big smiles!”
They had travelled in from across the globe for this unique amateur motorcycling competition, but on this first morning the competitors were all riding 'as one', united as a community by a passion for GS motorcycles and adventure travel. Their first taste of Thailand on two wheels was, for many, the first time that they had ridden on the left side of the road, but in truth that was the least of their worries, as heavy overnight rain had rendered the first off-road section of the Trophy impassable.
Therefore, after a short spell on tarmac the riders were directed along an undulating 4x4 track that led for 50 kilometres to the location for the first special test. Along the way the competitors rode past rice fields and tiny villages, with the occasional glimpses of elephants and water buffaloes, before arriving at the Special Stage, known as 'Broken Bridge'. Here, the task looked simple, yet was anything but... Teams had to walk two bikes (with the engines running) down a track leading to the remains of a bridge, then push the bikes up and over an angled bridge section before lowering them over a metre to the ground below.
What was fantastic to witness was the huge level of support for all the teams, by all the teams. This was especially evident for the trio of female riders (and their female embedded journalist) competing in their first GS Trophy, who were overwhelmed by how much cheering and encouragement they received from all the guys representing the 'rest of the world'.
This Special Stage was timed against the clock and the clear victors were Team Germany, displaying ruthless efficiency. There was another Special Stage in store for the teams later in the day, but first they were able to enjoy a 57km section of trail that had for the most part dried out nicely despite the unseasonable rainfall, with only a few tricky wet clay sections to overcome or enjoy, depending on your perspective.
The second Special consisted of a 'slow race', battled out on a sandy roadside layby, with each team lining up three abreast to literally take the longest time to ride from point A to point B, with penalties for feet down or stalling the engine. All three riders' times were then added together to determine the result, which saw a comprehensive victory for Team South Africa, who were considerably 'slower' than their nearest challengers.
On completion of the slow race, the final 63 kilometres liaison treated the participants to some spectacular views, with mountain passes, village markets and the aromas of Thai street food almost as enticing as the wonderful section of twisting, winding asphalt that transported the Trophy competitors into a beautiful valley, bordered by forested mountains, towards their overnight stop at Pai, with big smiles on their faces.
After a delicious dinner catered for by the travelling kitchens of the Shangri-La Chiang Mai, there was a country presentation by the teams themselves before the all-important 'results of the day' were announced. Despite not having won either of the day's two Specials, it is Team Argentina who lead the standings after the first day of competition, with their pair of top-three finishes clearly showing that consistency might well be the key to GS Trophy success.
Gaston Quiroga, Team Argentina: “This was a good day for us, we really enjoyed the ride in the morning, seeing the elephants was special, and the 4x4 track took us deep into the countryside, this was amazing rural Thailand, far from the tourist trail. We had two good tests too, on Broken Bridge it was important to manage the progress of the bikes logically, we copied the technique Germany used and that was a great help. We were delighted to do so well in the slow race although I was fearing for my bike by the end, with the engine racing and slipping the clutch it's hard on a bike. To be leading is a wonderful surprise. We're going to our sleeping bags tonight with big smiles!”
Quelle: BMW Motorrad, Thilo Kozik