Ex-Toti GS Trophy rider set to go full throttle in Mongolia
The international event is held biennually, consisting of a three-man team.
Ex-Amanzimtoti resident Eugene Fourie (40) will pit his skills against the tough terrain of Mongola when he participates in the International GS Trophy from 3 to 10 June.
The International GS Trophy is a motorcycle adventure which puts the world at your feet. Teams from all around the world battle it out in intensive daily stages and numerous special challenges to experience the tour of their lives. “I have never raced motorcycles before. The GS Trophy is a little different, as it’s not a race but so much more. It’s also only open to amateur riders,” he said.
Eugene made the SA team to travel to Mongolia in August 2017 at the nationals held at Country Trax, Amersfoort. Riding a BMW GS 1200 Rallye, he won the regionals for Gauteng and then represented the province as part of a three-man team at the local GS Trophy at Badplaas last year, and won.
“The international event is all about teams travelling over challenging, unpredictable and foreign landscapes where endurance and co-operation are crucial, though the meat of the actual competition comes in the form of interspersed special tasks and team skill challenges. All the while participants are treated to a flip side of adventure travel, as they get to know the host country’s culture via an itinerary of local interactions,” said Eugene.
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The international event is held biennually, consisting of a three-man team. Regionals and nationals events are solo.
“We train with lots of off-road motorcycling, as well as general fitness such as mountain biking, core fitness training and trail running. I can’t wait for the challenge and I’m really excited as it’s an opportunity of a lifetime. We have a great team, so I think we have a good chance of doing really well. I’ve never been to Mongolia but we are expecting lots of deep sand.”
Eugene was born in Scottburgh and did his schooling at Warner Beach Primary School, Amanzimtoti Junior Primary and Amanzimtoti Senior Primary, before moving to Port Shepstone to tackle high school.
“I lived in Toti for about eight years and sadly only get to visit my mother about once a year. I miss seeing all my family who still stay there, as I just don’t see them enough, and the old Umbogintwini golf course.”
