Cuevas blazes through local and regional qualifiers

The Philippine flag will be waving at the 2018 BMW Motorrad GS Trophy International, thanks to Filipino rider, Aris Cuevas. Cuevas clinched the top spot in the 2017 GS Trophy Southeast Asia qualifying round, held last September 2, 2017 in Thailand. He will be one of the official members of the Southeast Asian team in the upcoming International GS Trophy. Joining him in the international competition in Mongolia in 2018 are two other champions from Thailand and Malaysia.

Cuevas and fellow Filipino riders, Derrick Itchon, and, Leother Valderama, were among 30 participants at the 2017 BMW Motorrad GS Trophy Southeast Asia Qualifier. The Philippine delegates were placed in three separate teams with 2 riders from Thailand. They then vied for the pole position in intense riding challenges against 7 other teams, including an all-female contingent.

The challenges involved difficult activities that heavily tested teamwork, navigation, technical skills, and riding competency; the most formidable stage for all riders was the individual riding challenge. The individual matches took place after a number of morning competitive events wherein 15 out of the 30 participants emerged as qualifiers.

Itchon and Valderama were bested by stronger contenders, leaving Cuevas as the only Filipino to progress to the next challenge. Tabulation of the points saw Cuevas finishing with 137 points and claiming a coveted spot in the 2018 Southeast Asia GS Trophy Team.

The BMW Motorrad GS Trophy International is one of the toughest competitions for riders from across the globe. Teams battle it out in intensive daily stages and numerous special challenges that will not only push riding skills, agility, fitness, and team spirit to the limit, but also help build a stronger community, committed to making life a ride.