BMW Motorrad GS Trophy 2012, day 3. Team Germany take the lead on the GS Trophy´s longest day.

Munich / Peuma Hue, Rio Negro Province, Argentina.

Day three of the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy lived up to its title – the marathon stage – with teams finishing as late as 8.30 this evening, having set off at 7.15am. The 450km mostly off-road course proved gruelling, as were the three special tests. But when the dust settled, just about at dusk on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, it was Team Germany which had triumphed, taking over the lead from yesterday’s top team, France.

The day certainly was a tough one and the first special test – requiring the teams to run their three BMW F 800 GS motorcycles around a trail with two stream crossings – proved exceptionally strenuous. Several riders were severely fatigued and one rider was withdrawn from competition for the rest of the day by the GS Trophy doctors. In fact all three tests challenged the riders fitness, with the second test featuring a further stream crossing and bike pushing combination while the final test saw the teams again manhandling their machinery, this time lifting them over a fallen tree.

Tobi Weiser, Team Germany: “We’re really happy to have taken over the lead, actually surprised and a little daunted too – now we have to defend the position. We definitely had a good day, though, helped by teamwork and strategy.”

Team-mate Ali Métayer: “We’re just three guys, not setting out to be competitive, just here to have fun and some adventure. It’s ironic we did so well because normally I hate getting my feet wet when riding, but today there was no alternative!”

Other highlights:

Team Brazil win the first photo competition.

The result of the first photo competition was announced today. The teams had each submitted a photo featuring any aspect of their first day in the GS Trophy and these were posted on the BMW Motorrad Facebook page for 24 hours for fans to vote on a winner. The top three were Team Brazil who submitted a night shot from the campsite showing their brand new BMWs, with the letters GS created by waving torches. Team South Africa were second and Team UK third. The points from the photo competition have been added to the day’s totals.

GS Trophy 2012

Overall standings after three days:

1. Germany                                                           98 pts

2. France                                                              92

3. Argentina                                                          88

4. Italy                                                                    85

=5. Alps                                                                 81

=5. Canada                                                           81

7. Latin America                                                   76

8. UK                                                                     75

9. USA                                                                   71

10. CEEU                                                              69

11. South Africa                                                   60

12. Brazil                                                               45

13. Russia                                                             36

14. Spain                                                               32

15. Japan                                                              27