WIND
IN THE
P40
International GS Trophy 2026
Romania Decided
Coloradan Stephanie
Townsend's second-place
overall finish at the GS
Trophy marks the best
finish ever by an American
woman in the GS Trophy.
T
eam Germany and Team
Europe won the 10th BMW
Motorrad International GS Tro-
phy, held in Romania September
13-18.
The qualifying rounds did not
include the USA this year; how-
ever, two Americans qualified
through the open International
Qualifier, held at Enduro Park
Hechlingen in Germany last year.
Representing the USA on Team
International were Stephanie
Townsend in the Women's divi-
sion and Jordan Wiley in Men's.
This year's edition was more
technical than ever, with narrow
forest trails, washed-out moun-
tain paths, riverbeds and high-
altitude routes. After six days
and approximately 930 miles,
Team Germany (Fabi Fenner,
Norman Pleissner, Flo Thomann)
won the Men's competition with
203 points, while Team Europe
(Chrissie Harcourt and Anja
Filak) won the Women's compe-
tition with 200 points.
The Women's competition
was decided only in the final
challenge, with Colorado's
Townsend and teammate Edu-
arda "Duda" Mikulski from Brazil
on Team International entering
the final day ahead of Team
Europe by just two points.
Shifting weather and a midday
downpour made for treacherous
conditions for the final 75-mile
loop and grassy hillclimbs
through the narrow mountain
ridges and the "Maze," a techni-
cal obstacle course enclosed
by ribbons. In the end, Team
Europe secured a narrow victory
over Team International.
With the podium finish,
Townsend cements her place in
the history books as the highest-
placing American woman in the
event's history. The men's Team
International placed seventh.
CN
