A new day for the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy saw the lead once again change national hands. On day three the German team stepped ahead of the French (obvious jokes omitted) to take a six point lead in the overall standings. Hard miles and big obstacles pushed machine and competitor alike.

[Official release] Day three of the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy lived up to its title – the marathon stage – with teams finishing as late as 8.30 this evening, having set off at 7.15am. The 450km mostly off-road course proved gruelling, as were the three special tests. But when the dust settled, just about at dusk on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, it was Team Germany which had triumphed, taking over the lead from yesterday’s top team, France.

The day certainly was a tough one and the first special test – requiring the teams to run their three BMW F 800 GS motorcycles around a trail with two stream crossings – proved exceptionally strenuous. Several riders were severely fatigued and one rider was withdrawn from competition for the rest of the day by the GS Trophy doctors. In fact all three tests challenged the riders fitness, with the second test featuring a further stream crossing and bike pushing combination while the final test saw the teams again manhandling their machinery, this time lifting them over a fallen tree.

Tobi Weiser, Team Germany: “We’re really happy to have taken over the lead, actually surprised and a little daunted too – now we have to defend the position. We definitely had a good day, though, helped by teamwork and strategy.”

Team-mate Ali Métayer: “We’re just three guys, not setting out to be competitive, just here to have fun and some adventure. It’s ironic we did so well because normally I hate getting my feet wet when riding, but today there was no alternative!”

Other highlights: Team Brazil win the first photo competition
The result of the first photo competition was announced today. The teams had each submitted a photo featuring any aspect of their first day in the GS Trophy and these were posted on the BMW Motorrad Facebook page for 24 hours for fans to vote on a winner. The top three were Team Brazil who submitted a night shot from the campsite showing their brand new BMWs, with the letters GS created by waving torches. Team South Africa were second and Team UK third. The points from the photo competition have been added to the day’s totals.

GS Trophy 2012 Overall standings after three days:

1. Germany 98 pts
2. France 92
3. Argentina 88
4. Italy 85
=5. Alps 81
=5. Canada 81
7. Latin America 76
8. UK 75
9. USA 71
10. CEEU 69
11. South Africa 60
12. Brazil 45
13. Russia 36
14. Spain 32
15. Japan 27