The tenth BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy started on Sunday in the Transylvanian village of Colțești, deep in the Romanian Carpathians. Thirteen teams and 30 riders from 13 nations face six days and roughly 1,500 km (932 miles) of mountain trails, forest tracks and river crossings. All of them are mounted on the new BMW R 12 G/S, the event’s competition bike, and BMW stresses that the Trophy is not a race but a test of teamwork and judgement.

BMW Motorrad has opened the tenth edition of its International GS Trophy in Romania. Base camp sits on the edge of Colțești in Transylvania, below a 13th-century clifftop fortress, ringed by the Carpathian mountains and some of the last large undisturbed forests in Europe — terrain the company describes as a rare European wilderness, still home to grey wolves and brown bears.

Over the coming days the route takes in dense forest, gravel roads, river crossings and long mountain climbs and descents. It is the sort of ground BMW wants for its newest adventure machine: every rider is competing on a personalised BMW R 12 G/S, this year’s GS Trophy Competition Bike.

Not a race, by design

The GS Trophy has never been scored on lap times, and BMW repeats the point firmly. Outright speed and individual wins are not the measure of success. Teams do collect points in special tests, but those challenges are built to reward precise riding, sound judgement, endurance and the ability to work together rather than raw pace. Riders are expected to help one another and solve practical and mental tasks as a group.

“The GS Trophy brings together people from all around the world who share a common passion: adventure, adventure riding, and the BMW GS. It is far more than a competition. It is about team spirit, international friendships, and shared experiences that continue to resonate long after the event has ended. For me, this unique sense of community is what truly defines the magic of the GS Trophy,” said Martin Schleypen, Event Director and Head of Brand Management at BMW Motorrad, speaking from base camp.

Thirteen teams, 13 nations

Eight national and regional qualifiers produced this year’s field of 13 international teams: eight three-rider men’s teams and five two-rider women’s teams, with BMW putting the total at 30 riders from 13 nations. Men’s teams represent Germany, Europe, Ukraine, South Korea, Japan, China and Australia alongside a mixed Team International, while the women’s line-up includes Team Germany Women, Team Europe Women and Team International Women.

The riders are anything but professional racers. The entry list runs from a firefighter and paramedic captain and a certified public accountant to an arborist, an orthopaedic technician, a civil engineer, a soldier and a full-time traveller currently riding through the Americas on an F 800 GS. Ages span 27 to 62.

Over the weekend the teams completed registration and medical checks, had their protective and riding kit individually fitted, had SENA communication systems installed and took delivery of their bikes. A welcome dinner and team introductions on Saturday set up Sunday’s start.

Six days, 1,500 kilometres

Roughly half of the approximately 1,500 km (932 miles) route runs off paved roads, with steep sections, rugged mountain trails and forest tracks. BMW notes that the asphalt stretches demand just as much concentration because of the topography. The tenth edition runs under the motto “Back to Basics”.

What it means

The Trophy doubles as a shop window. Putting 30 riders on the R 12 G/S for six days of Carpathian terrain is the clearest public demonstration yet of where BMW positions the retro-styled model against the rest of its GS range — and against a large-capacity adventure segment where rivals lean on endurance events and rally programmes to make the same argument. For BMW’s dealer network and the GS owner community that feeds the qualifiers, the event is also the season’s most visible recruitment tool.

The 2026 GS Trophy runs for six days from Sunday in and around Colțești, Romania.

Facts: BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2026

  • Edition: 10th
  • Host country: Romania (base camp at Colțești, Transylvania)
  • Duration: Six days, started Sunday
  • Distance: Approximately 1,500 km (932 miles), roughly half unpaved
  • Teams: 13 (eight three-rider men’s teams, five two-rider women’s teams)
  • Riders: 30, from 13 nations
  • Qualifiers: Eight national and regional events
  • Competition bike: BMW R 12 G/S
  • Motto: “Back to Basics”

Source: www.press.bmwgroup.com