These were voted on both by the public and the teams themselves . Team Japan revealed a creative streak exceeding all others in the male competition , while Team Germany had the run on the female competitors .
When the scores were tallied up , for the fourth consecutive GS Trophy it was Team South Africa on top . In the male competition , they had made a steady start to the week ’ s competition but got stronger as the week went on . Physically and mentally strong , and so well-practiced both individually and as a team , it ’ s clear that if any other nation wants to get a taste of GS Trophy victory , then they ’ ll have to significantly up their preparation . Team UK came closest to unsettling the South Africans but readily and respectfully conceded they ’ d been beaten by the better team . Team Germany took a well-earned third place .
“ This is amazing , we didn ’ t expect this ,” said Warren Ventner of Team South Africa . “ Last night we were doing the numbers and we knew it wasn ’ t a certain thing . It came down to the last challenge . So , we are really stoked .
“ And to take the fourth win is great , there was that pressure not to be ‘ that ’ team , the ones who didn ’ t win , but we said to ourselves we ’ ll do the best we can and whatever comes up , comes up .”
The female teams competition couldn ’ t have finished any closer , just the one point separating Team South Africa from runner-up Germany . With teams receiving points deductions for bike damages such as broken indicators and lever replacements , both teams had been nervously adding up their gains and losses , but it fell to South Africa to win the first female GS Trophy competition and secure the double .
“ It ’ s unbelievable . We were only leading Germany by one point yesterday and we didn ’ t have the best last stage so until the result was announced we didn ’ t know which way it had gone , but somehow we still kept that onepoint advantage , I feel truly blessed ,” grinned Hanneli Zondagh , after Team South Africa took the female competition . “ It just shows what teamwork can do if you just don ’ t give up . It ’ s been a great competition , we ’ ve really enjoyed our times with the other female teams , they ’ ve been incredible , and so much fun . And what a great thing to do ; once women have been exposed to this great sport and pastime of adventure motorcycling they see how fantastic it is , how liberating , that you ride , you see the world , you meet new people , see different places , even in your own country . It ’ s a wonderful thing .”
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