Typically, the semi-desert then changed in nature at the 100km
mark, becoming a gravel plain that led to a rock formation in the
shape of a camel head, where a special test called “Camel Head”
required the teams to ride a sand and rock trials course, this
time simultaneously as a team.
Immediately after the test the terrain changed in nature again,
this time to deep sand, which required fine balance and throttle
control at slow speeds. By now noon had come and gone, and the air
temperature was 32o – with no cooling breeze. As the course wound
its way up a narrow valley the sand remained deep, deeper still in
the dried up river beds, and many a GS rider came to a halt.
Teamwork comes to the fore at times like this, as the team members
pushed, pulled and helped guide each other through the sand-maze.
The valley led to a high plateau with several rocky outcrops to
navigate around before reaching a dry lake (a clay pan) where the
riders found special test 5 that required them to ride a tight
snaking course against the clock, with a defined stop box at the
finish. While again slow speed, this test required fine balance
and throttle and clutch control as the fastest riders drifted in
and out of the tight turns.
With the afternoon heat staying at the 32o mark the teams were
thankful to find a shortish final 50km section along gravel tracks
to the finish.
Unfortunately a few riders have fallen today. Each received
immediate attention from the professional medical team at the
event. They have been transferred to hospital.
The voting on the photo contest has been postponed by 24
hours and voting for the first photo competition will now
open at 23:59 Mongolian time on June 5.
BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2018 Central Asia. Day
1 overall standings:
1 USA 33 points
2 Argentina 32
2 Korea 32
4 China 26
4 Latin America 26
4 South Africa 26
4 Germany 26
8 Russia 24
9 France 21
10 Japan 20
11 UK 17
12 India
16
13 Australia 13
13 Canada 13
13 Mexico
13
16 Ausamerica (female team) 12 17 Southeast Asia
11
18 Euafrica (female team) 3
No results were announced today for Day 2.
We will
advise of the team points situation in tomorrow’s bulletin.
Find all information about the BMW Motorrad
International GS Trophy 2018 Central Asia at the
dedicated website www.gstrophy.com.
Find press material on BMW motorcycle, Original BMW
Motorrad accessories and BMW Motorrad rider equipment
in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.
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