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Still Wondering
THREE MOTORCYCLISTS SELECTED TO REPRESENT U.S.A. IN BMW MOTORRAD INTERNATIONAL GS TROPHY
09/02/2008
"Tunisia Three: Selected at BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, S.C.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - September 2, 2008... Three motorcyclists were selected from a field of six to represent the United States in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy after a grueling day of "Survivor-style" competition. The three finalists were selected based on technical, leadership and teamwork skills at BMW's Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC, August 28. Brad Hendry, of Thornton, CO; Jim Stoddard, of Middlegrove, NY; and Jason Adams, of Rosendale, NY - the "Tunisia Three" -- will compete in the international motorcycle competition in Tunisia, October 15-24. The remaining three of the "Spartanburg Six" -- Kevin Harder, of Paso Robles, CA; , Bill Dragoo, of Norman, OK; and Brienne Thompson, of San Diego, CA -- will serve as alternates.
In Spartanburg, four judges evaluated the riding, leadership and teamwork skills of the six riders in a series of grueling challenges, including: an offset slalom course, circle drill, controlled ascents and descents, uphill slalom, sand recovery, sand relay, team trail challenge, barrel race and high speed maneuvering.
The Road to Spartanburg - The Selection Process
The prospect of a week-and-a-half riding in Tunisia on F 800 GS bikes with teams from Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain captured the imagination of GS fans throughout the United States, and nearly 100 riders made the first stage of the application process to be considered for Team USA. These riders were subject to an email 'mental test' specifically designed by a dedicated BMW team of moto-psychologists to determine whether potential participants had the right credentials to progress through to the next stage.
From the 96 initial applications - in many cases from superlative off-road riders with great experience and skill - the team selectors chose 20 semi-finalists that demonstrated the required levels of riding excellence, teamwork, character, physical fitness, a true love of the GS segment - and of course, a sense of humor under conditions of great stress.
All 20 successful riders were informed separately that they had advanced to the next round, while the 76 who didn't 'make the cut' will receive a gift from BMW Motorrad to say thanks for participating and to encourage them to try again in 2009. The 20 International GS Trophy semi-finalists that remained were then subjected to further tests and all four judges commented that the process was quite difficult, as was the decision to determine a final shortlist. The six chosen riders were then invited at BMW's expense to participate in further testing at the BMW Performance Center, in Spartanburg, SC, on August 28.
This final test determined which of the 'Spartanburg Six' (as they have become known) will become the "Tunisia Three" who will go on to represent the United States in the International GS Trophy in October. As BMW Motorrad USA's Laurence Kuykendall stated, "just getting down to the final six riders has been an extremely difficult task for his team".
"We've not only had many excellent riders to chose from, but the criteria was complex too, including not only riding ability and experience, but more intangible qualities like teamwork, personality, physical and psychological fitness, and the capability to spread the BMW faith. It would have been equally easy to end up with six other, equally deserving names, as the standard was so high, but as a consolation, there is always next year, when we will require new riders for the 2009 GS Trophy - wherever it might be!"
The BMW Motorrad 2008 International GS Trophy
The International GS Trophy is a skills-based contest with GS riders coming from all over the world for a final meeting to pick the best of the best in Tunisia, North Africa, October 15 - 24. The competition is not a race, but a lengthy and challenging ride, both on- and off-road, through the rugged countryside of Tunisia on new F 800 GS bikes. The event will include numerous tests in individual riding skills and group teamwork to overcome natural and manmade obstacles in the course of the ride.
A team of six riders will be selected to compete for the GS Trophy from each of the following BMW Motorrad markets: the United States, Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Japan. Three of the six riders will be journalists, while the remaining three will be GS owners selected by BMW Motorrad in each market.
The three GS owners selected to represent the United States in the 2008 International GS Trophy Competition will be required to report on their experiences. Therefore, writing, as well as riding, ability will be a criterion used to choose the GS Trophy competitors.
Congratulations to all of the participants!!
BMW GS Challenge
The Spartanburg Six traveled to BMW's Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC to compete for three spots on the team representing the United States in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will be held in Tunisia, October 15-24. The competitors included (left to right) Kevan Harder, of Paso Robles, CA; Jim Stoddard, of Middlegrove, NY; Jason Adams, of Rosedale, NY; Brad Hendry, of Thornton, CO; Brienne Thomson, of San Diego, CA; and Bill Dragoo, of Norman, OK. Brad Hendry, Jim Stoddard and Jason Adams - the "Tunisia Three" - were selected for the US Team following a "Survivor-style" competition of riding, leadership and teamwork skills at BMW's Performance Center
BMW GS Challenge Brad Hendry of Thornton, Colorado, is one the "Tunisia Three" selected for the US Team competing in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will be held in Tunisia, October 15-24, 2008 (09/2008)
BMW GS Challenge Jason Adams of Rosendale, New York is one the "Tunisia Three" selected for the US Team competing in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will be held in Tunisia, October 15-24, 2008 (09/2008)
BMW GS Challenge Jim Stoddard of Middlegrove, New York, is one the "Tunisia Three" selected for the US Team competing in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will be held in Tunisia, October 15-24, 2008 (09/2008))
09/02/2008
"Tunisia Three: Selected at BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, S.C.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - September 2, 2008... Three motorcyclists were selected from a field of six to represent the United States in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy after a grueling day of "Survivor-style" competition. The three finalists were selected based on technical, leadership and teamwork skills at BMW's Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC, August 28. Brad Hendry, of Thornton, CO; Jim Stoddard, of Middlegrove, NY; and Jason Adams, of Rosendale, NY - the "Tunisia Three" -- will compete in the international motorcycle competition in Tunisia, October 15-24. The remaining three of the "Spartanburg Six" -- Kevin Harder, of Paso Robles, CA; , Bill Dragoo, of Norman, OK; and Brienne Thompson, of San Diego, CA -- will serve as alternates.
In Spartanburg, four judges evaluated the riding, leadership and teamwork skills of the six riders in a series of grueling challenges, including: an offset slalom course, circle drill, controlled ascents and descents, uphill slalom, sand recovery, sand relay, team trail challenge, barrel race and high speed maneuvering.
The Road to Spartanburg - The Selection Process
The prospect of a week-and-a-half riding in Tunisia on F 800 GS bikes with teams from Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain captured the imagination of GS fans throughout the United States, and nearly 100 riders made the first stage of the application process to be considered for Team USA. These riders were subject to an email 'mental test' specifically designed by a dedicated BMW team of moto-psychologists to determine whether potential participants had the right credentials to progress through to the next stage.
From the 96 initial applications - in many cases from superlative off-road riders with great experience and skill - the team selectors chose 20 semi-finalists that demonstrated the required levels of riding excellence, teamwork, character, physical fitness, a true love of the GS segment - and of course, a sense of humor under conditions of great stress.
All 20 successful riders were informed separately that they had advanced to the next round, while the 76 who didn't 'make the cut' will receive a gift from BMW Motorrad to say thanks for participating and to encourage them to try again in 2009. The 20 International GS Trophy semi-finalists that remained were then subjected to further tests and all four judges commented that the process was quite difficult, as was the decision to determine a final shortlist. The six chosen riders were then invited at BMW's expense to participate in further testing at the BMW Performance Center, in Spartanburg, SC, on August 28.
This final test determined which of the 'Spartanburg Six' (as they have become known) will become the "Tunisia Three" who will go on to represent the United States in the International GS Trophy in October. As BMW Motorrad USA's Laurence Kuykendall stated, "just getting down to the final six riders has been an extremely difficult task for his team".
"We've not only had many excellent riders to chose from, but the criteria was complex too, including not only riding ability and experience, but more intangible qualities like teamwork, personality, physical and psychological fitness, and the capability to spread the BMW faith. It would have been equally easy to end up with six other, equally deserving names, as the standard was so high, but as a consolation, there is always next year, when we will require new riders for the 2009 GS Trophy - wherever it might be!"
The BMW Motorrad 2008 International GS Trophy
The International GS Trophy is a skills-based contest with GS riders coming from all over the world for a final meeting to pick the best of the best in Tunisia, North Africa, October 15 - 24. The competition is not a race, but a lengthy and challenging ride, both on- and off-road, through the rugged countryside of Tunisia on new F 800 GS bikes. The event will include numerous tests in individual riding skills and group teamwork to overcome natural and manmade obstacles in the course of the ride.
A team of six riders will be selected to compete for the GS Trophy from each of the following BMW Motorrad markets: the United States, Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Japan. Three of the six riders will be journalists, while the remaining three will be GS owners selected by BMW Motorrad in each market.
The three GS owners selected to represent the United States in the 2008 International GS Trophy Competition will be required to report on their experiences. Therefore, writing, as well as riding, ability will be a criterion used to choose the GS Trophy competitors.
Congratulations to all of the participants!!
BMW GS Challenge
The Spartanburg Six traveled to BMW's Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC to compete for three spots on the team representing the United States in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will be held in Tunisia, October 15-24. The competitors included (left to right) Kevan Harder, of Paso Robles, CA; Jim Stoddard, of Middlegrove, NY; Jason Adams, of Rosedale, NY; Brad Hendry, of Thornton, CO; Brienne Thomson, of San Diego, CA; and Bill Dragoo, of Norman, OK. Brad Hendry, Jim Stoddard and Jason Adams - the "Tunisia Three" - were selected for the US Team following a "Survivor-style" competition of riding, leadership and teamwork skills at BMW's Performance Center
BMW GS Challenge Brad Hendry of Thornton, Colorado, is one the "Tunisia Three" selected for the US Team competing in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will be held in Tunisia, October 15-24, 2008 (09/2008)
BMW GS Challenge Jason Adams of Rosendale, New York is one the "Tunisia Three" selected for the US Team competing in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will be held in Tunisia, October 15-24, 2008 (09/2008)
BMW GS Challenge Jim Stoddard of Middlegrove, New York, is one the "Tunisia Three" selected for the US Team competing in the inaugural BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will be held in Tunisia, October 15-24, 2008 (09/2008))
