Off-road fundi shares BMW GS Trophy experience

MBOMBELA – BMW’s GS Trophy national qualifier was back-breakingly hard. This spectator was gob-smacked by the challenges set for riders and skills with which they accomplished them.

Mbombela’s own Rika de Bruyn, who competed in the event over the weekend, says it was a competition she will never forget.
She was the first female to face this test of precise motorcyle-riding skills.

“Fitness, strength, mental toughness, skill and a bit of luck would have given you a good finish. I had it all, but due to a back injury I could not finish some challenges.”

She hurt her back while attempting to pick up her bike which she had put down in thick mud on the first day. She was unable to pick her 800 GS, which weighs 220 kilograms, up again due to the injury and the accompanying pain. Yet, she didn’t quit.

“I am very proud to have been the only woman qualifier and to also have finished this.”

The event held at Country Trax in Amersfoort was a trial to select a three-person national team which will represent South Africa at the international GS Trophy championship in Thailand next year.

Rika was selected for the KwaZulu-Natal team along with Clayton Scott en Mark Havemann. They competed as individuals against members of teams representing Gauteng, Mpumalanga, an inland region, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Namibia.

Rika says the level of competition at the nationals was a cut above the regional qualifiers.

“After winning in Gauteng and qualifying for the KZN team, I thought I had it in me to do well”

But with every challenge the lines were tighter, cones were closer together, the terrain became more rocky, the hills steeper and the sand thicker.

Most challenges were measured on time over rocky obstacles, mud, sand and hills. On the oval track riders’ skills in doing doughnuts, elephant turns, break slides and barrel races were tested.

“To be honest, I love the skills but I hate speed. My teammates did exceptionally well and both finished in the top 10. We are therefore looking forward to the team event at GS Trophy SA in September.”

• The national team will be announced at this GS event to be held at Drakensville in KwaZulu-Natal from September 10 to 13.