2024 GS Trophy Day 5 – The Marathon Stage

More than 400 kilometers awaited the 2024 GS Trophy competitors as they awoke in Swakopmund on day five of the event. The biggest challenge of the day would be maintaining focus during the dry, dusty desert blast back to basecamp on the penultimate day of the competition. Of course, that wouldn’t be the only challenge. The Trophy participants were greeted with stunning views as they made their way up Bosua pass – a nearly 5,700 foot thoroughfare that is one of the highest roads in the country – toward their first special of the day, the Leatt Push Challenge.

Fairly simple, one rider from each team would be pushed out of a starting gate by the other two team members and attempt to “bump start” their R 1300 GS. Team USA took a 10th place position in the challenge. Afterward, the crew moved forward toward a lodge and wildlife area for lunch and were greeted by Zebras as they pulled into the canyon. After a quick lunch and completing a questionnaire of obscure BMW facts (for points), it was time to crank out the next 200 kilometers to arrive back at basecamp for the day’s final challenge.

Knowing they didn’t have much to lose, Team USA, who were riding with team Germany today, let ze Germans choose their starting order for the final challenge of the day in a bid to help them gain even more ground in the overall standings ahead of the historically dominant South African challengers. For the Midgard Slow Trial, each member would attempt to traverse a loose, and somewhat rocky course as slowly as possible while keeping the motor running, tires moving, and bike upright. Team USA managed a fifth place finish in the event with Scott clearing the course as Billy and Kirk ended up taking dabs where needed which stopped their time and finished their run.