Tomm Wolf - The Road to "Mister GS Trophy"

The Wolf in GS clothing.

How Tomm Wolf became "Mr GS Trophy".

Tomm Wolf didn't have to be elected "Mr GS Trophy" . Instead, the sports manager of the International GS Trophy earned his nickname thanks to his GS expertise and his infectious enthusiasm for adventure riding. After the fifth challenge in Southeast Asia, he recalls his many years of experience with this iconic motorcycle.

When the legendary BMW GS was introduced in 1980, Tomm Wolf had already been into adventure riding for years. His companion: a customised BMW. "In 1978 I bought my first BMW motorcycle and modified it so that it could handle my trips", says Tomm. His bike needed to run well on rough terrain in places like Africa. So he installed a larger tank and longer front forks. "But when BMW rolled out the first R 80 G/S in 1980, it was precisely the motorcycle I had been waiting for".

Every new model better than the previous one.

Of course BMW wasn't the only maker of adventure bikes at the time. But the GS was always Tomm's bike of choice. That's because reliability and longevity are the most important factors for him when he's riding on remote roads, far from home and away from civilisation. “With the GS you never had problems with the engine, gearbox and drive shaft. And its low centre of gravity was simply perfect for adventure riding. The GS has always felt like 'my bike' and it still does today. No matter which model I'm riding, I always say to myself: It doesn't get any better than this. And then suddenly a new model comes out that outdoes the previous one. I have no idea how they do that".

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A teacher through and through.

Tomm's passion for the GS led the freelance entrepreneur to turn his hobby into a career. When BMW Motorrad opened an adventure riding park in the Bavarian town of Hechlingen at the start of the 90s, Tomm Wolf was one of the first instructors and he established the training programme. He was also there when BMW rolled out the R 1200 GS dual sport bike in South Africa in 2003. Later, he was chief instructor at the HP Trophy. In 2008, Tomm became manager of the adventure riding park in Aras de los Olmos, Spain, which was modelled after the park in Hechlingen. He named his park 'Malelobo', which means bad wolf. "It was love at first sight", says Tomm. "I offer courses in adventure riding with the support of BMW. The park keeps growing and growing".

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Adventure riding is about team spirit.

Those on fire set others alight. And so Tomm Wolf was predestined for the role of the sports manager at the int. GS Trophy. The experienced adventure rider has served in this role since 2010. He makes sure that all riding activities are safe while remaining adventurous.

Despite the routine exercises his job involves, riders can feel his genuine passion. "GS riding is my world, my life", says Tomm. It's so exciting to share all my experience and know-how with other passionate GS riders." Tomm understands what adventure riding is all about: team spirit and togetherness. He personifies that attitude.

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"

GS riding is my world, my life. "

Tomm Wolf

Off to Thailand for the Trophy.

Tomm has now returned from the most recent International GS Trophy adventure in Thailand. "Mister GS Trophy" is amazed as he recalls his three months in a country full of natural beauty and cultural monuments. He's convinced that Thailand is one of the best locations for adventure riding. In his opinion, it was the toughest yet most rewarding International GS Trophy event so far.

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"This is exactly what adventure riding is about. It requires endurance. It's a hard, honest sport without any showing off", says Tomm. The turnout for the event shows that the fascination of GS riding is reaching a wider and wider audience. "The Trophy has grown dramatically. In the beginning there were five teams, today there are 19. If you consider how much attention we're getting on social media, it feels like we're hosting the Olympic Games of adventure riding. "I'm very proud of how the event has evolved".

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Team sport.

Tomm Wolf comes home from every event with unforgettable experiences as well as many new friends. They're people just like him who have a passion for GS adventure riding. "There's no other motorcycle that brings riders together like the GS", he says. "People ride, struggle and band together at each Trophy. And they make friends. Many of them want to come back and help us organise the next Trophy. Being part of this international community of adventurers is a special feeling. I can't imagine life without my GS".

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