2022 BMW International GS Trophy going to Albania

BMW Motorrad announces 2022 International GS Trophy location

The date of the 2022 International GS Trophy has been set, and it will be held in the beautiful mountains of Albania, in Southeast Europe.

“'Explore the unexpected' is the motto of the eighth edition of the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will take place in late summer 2022,” said BMW Motorrad.

So far, 15 countries have confirmed their participation in the 2022 International GS Trophy, with qualifying sessions soon to be underway. These countries are Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Latin America, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, South East Asia, South Korea, United Kingdom, and the USA.

Qualifying sessions in the PH

Gil Balderas, BMW Motorrad director, shared that there are already plans for local qualifying sessions. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there are no fixed schedules or dates as of yet.

“We planned on doing local qualifying pero (but) no fixed schedules yet because of the pandemic. We should be able to announce at least 1 or 2 months prior [to the event],” said Balderas.

International GS Trophy

The International GS Trophy is an event that celebrates the "spirit" of the legendary BMW GS models. It offers everything that a GS motorbike was made for: Riding fun, adventure and challenges.

The southeast European event is the eighth edition of the International GS Trophy. Previous editions were held in 2020 in Oceania (New Zealand), 2018 in Central Asia (Mongolia), 2016 in South East Asia (Thailand), 2014 in North America (Canada), 2012 in South America (Chile, Argentina), 2010 in South Africa (South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique) and 2008 in North Africa (Tunisia).

In the current edition, 22 teams, composed of 60 riders from all over the world, will be competing against each other. The field of riders is accompanied by the GS Trophy Marshals, media representatives, doctors, sponsors as well as a photo and film crew.

The International GS Trophy is not a race but a team competition in which an international line-up of off-road enthusiasts compete together in various special stages. Not all of these tests are purely designed as riding tests. It is also about knowledge and teamwork. As the competitors spend a lot of time together and also sleep in bivouacs, this adventure event also promotes a feeling of togetherness. It is not uncommon for friendships to be made here which last a lifetime. In this way, the GS Trophy connects people, cultures, and motorcyclists from all over the world in the same way as the GS motorbikes do.

Based on the experience of the past GS Trophy events, the most successful team will be the one that prepares the best, has the best teamwork, and rides most skilfully, while having heaps of fun and enjoying the great feeling of international camaraderie.