TRAVERSE Issue 56 - October 2026 | Page 18

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That was particularly evident in the final stages, when the pressure was at its highest.
“ We were certainly the smallest team in the competition,” said Filak.
“ But we rode like one body, as one unit.” For Harcourt, the result was understandably difficult to process.“ I can hardly describe this feeling,” she said.“ I am incredibly proud of both of us.”
Their victory also highlighted one of the central ideas behind the GS Trophy. Riders arrive from different countries, often having never met their teammates, and are immediately expected to operate as a cohesive unit.
The result can be measured in points, but the process is measured in trust.
Australia finishes third Australia ' s women ' s team of Rikki Dryden and Lisa Porter finished third with 164 points, behind Europe and International.
Dryden, 42, grew up riding dirt bikes and later moved into adventure riding, with a BMW GS launch event helping spark more than a decade of GS riding. Porter, 60, manages a commercial law firm and came to off-road riding after initially riding on the road. Her interests include working on motorcycles, camping and exploring remote areas.
Their third-place result was particularly notable given the small women ' s field and the physical demands of the event.
The final women ' s standings were:
1
Europe
200
2
International 184
3
Australia
164
4
China
159
5
Germany
146
More than a competition
Since its first running in Tunisia in 2008, the International GS Trophy has developed into one of BMW Motorrad ' s major global adventure events. The concept has remained remarkably consistent: bring together talented GS riders from around the world, put them into
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