surrounding Lake Ohrid , the tracks compacted and smooth , perfect for the big 1250 GS ’ s .
Within half an hour the GS riders rode into their first special test of the day . Here the entire team had to ride into a 15 x 15m enclosure set on a pasture , collect a bottle of oil from a marshal then pass it from one rider to the next , while moving , without putting a foot down – or crashing . Only when the third rider had the bottle in his safe keeping could the three leave the enclosure and stop the clock . A test of machine control and rider awareness , planning too .
Riders then re-joined the highway for a liaison section , which like so much of the GS Trophy route brought the riders into contact with various aspects of Albanian life . As ever , there were so many variations in personal transport , from donkey , to a motorised fruit stall , through to executive cars .
Flowing trails through the mountains followed , well maintained gravel tracks that passed historical sites , then perfect tarmac for a mountain pass with plenty of hairpins .
The afternoon brought the unknown , narrow tracks that at times were more akin to riding off-piste , it was serious enduro riding . The challenge was welcomed , deep mudholes , steep rocky climbs . Sweat , smiles and a fight to the end . This was considered some of the best riding of all editions of the GS Trophy that included the days last ‘ special ’ as they approach camp at Farma Sotira .
The United Kingdom retook the lead from Thailand while Germany replaced South Africa in third place . South Africa reclaimed second in the women ’ s competition ; Germany continued to pull away in the lead .
Day four , the second shortest , was by no means a rest day . A loop through the Pindus Mountains required trials skills of the highest order .
Riding feet up , first and second gear , was the order of the day . Hill climbs challenged all as they struggled with the perfect line searching for grip on the rocky ascents . Under the shadow of the Pindus range riders were treated to ancient forests that hid all evidence of humanity , that is until a large sheep and goat herd appeared , the locals , human , equine , canine , and ovine all struggled significantly less than the riders on the big bikes .
Roman tracks led the riders down through the mountains , off road skills needed to negotiate the timeless trails .
The loop took them back to Farma Sotira for a triple header of ‘ specials ’. The first tackled a stream crossing
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