Island, yet just 1 kilometre in they found the first chal-
lenge of the day; a beach drift where the riders were
against the clock as they raced across deep sand then re-
turned by criss-crossing over flatter sands. Almost every
team were caught out by the challenge, even the flawless
South Koreans who took a fall.
Once finished, the course took everyone to Martin-
borough along gravel trails edged by forests and with
mountains ranges looking over everything; an impres-
sive sight. Yet, it was the sentinel white rock contrast-
ing against the black sand beach that caught everyone’s
attention, here the riders found the Leatt Neck Brace
Challenge – the riders had to throw their gloves up the
beach into neck braces.
Before the day ended the riders were challenged again
as one rider from the team was nominated to take on a
timed trials course, where dropping a foot or stalling the
engine cost points.
“The event has been thrilling,” explained South Af-
rica’s, Brandon Grimsted, as he explained everyone in
the team had been nervous yet were now finding their
feet amongst the beauty of New Zealand. “It leaves me
speechless, it’s an incredible country.”
South Africa moved into second place and while the
South Koreans made a few mistakes they were still able
to hold onto the lead. The Netherlands moved into third.
The Australians continued to climb up the leaderboard
by taking 7th place. The female teams were battling
amongst themselves yet still able to stay in touch of
the teams above them as everyone went to bed early in
preparation for an extremely early start.
A three-hour ferry ride was seen as a rest yet in true
GS Trophy fashion it became the first challenge with a
40 years of GS quiz. Everyone was tested on their knowl-
edge of the iconic name which has become more than
just a motorcycle. It caught several riders out.
Upon reaching Picton 140 F850GS’s rolled off the ferry,
creating quite a spectacle before riding through the
Marlborough Sound and national park to reach the small
town of Havelock. Further on to Pelorus Bridge was
were the campsite presented itself, yet this wasn’t the
end of the day; two more challenges were waiting.
With a BMW Motorrad Navigator IV in hand the riders
ran, on foot, through the forest to find another unit
which presented a code that had to be recorded and
presented at the end of the challenge. Hot and humid, it
wasn’t for everyone. As wasn’t the days final challenge.
Riders were required to change the rear wheel on their
bikes while battling the clock. On the tools it sorted out
a few competitors and the day witnessed a change at the
top of the table as France went into the lead followed
closely by South Africa. South Korea dropped to fourth
behind Italy. Australia lost three places.
TRAVERSE 12