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Gurnell's winning consumption was 3.4 litres/100km with Dougherty close behind with 3.61 litres/100 km.
But it was not a BMW benefit for their "lawnmower" model (the F650CS is very quiet), as two stalwarts Graham Mephius and Peter de la Rey, who have also done the one-two thing, came in third and fourth with figures of 3.68 litres/100 km (Suzuki GSXR750) and 3.8 litres/100 km.
Top woman competitor Tanya Gibson (F650CS), from Pretoria, also come fifth overall again like last year, when she also won novice award. She managed 3.9 litres/100 km..
Dual purpose
Two dual-purpose classes were introduced this year for the many riders of such machines, split into under and over 700 cc. Sixth overall and first in class E was Thys Fourie (BMW650GS) with 4.24 litres/100 km.
The remaining top 10 riders out of a field 75 and in the7th to 10th position were Niel Smith (Suzuki GSXR600) William Slement (Honda VFR800), F C Du Plessis (Yamaha FZ1) and Garth Jager (650GS)
The biggest street bikes (over 1 051 cc), competing in class C are obviously more thirsty, but Brian Stobbart managed a quite credible 4.75 litres/100 km on his Harley Davidson engined Buell XB12S with Ruben Vermaak (BMW R1100S) and André Smit both managing in the high 5s.
For the record Gurnell, Dougherty and Ms Gibson topped class A (up to 700cc) and Mephius, De la Rey and Slement class B.
Grumbling
There was some grumbling in the grand touring class (D) about eligibility, but without any protest Jerry Paice won on a BMW 1200 CL, achieving 5.24 litres/100 km. Henk Gous and Jan Glaser, both in BMW K1200GTs were second and third.
Johan Nelson (F650GS) third in class E behind top-tenners Fourie and Jager, led home seven more GS650s, among others.
There were no fewer than 10 entries in the big dual-purpose class (over 700cc) and something of a surprise winner Arnold Olivier on his Triumph Tiger 955i recording 4.81 litres/100 km and another in second, a Honda XL1000V ridden K J Martins, followed by the much-fancied GS BMW's as well as a lone Suzuki V-Strom.
The cruiser class (G) developed an international flavour by drawing entries from its traditional home, the US of A, as well as Germany and England. Ian Humphreys on a Harley Davidson Deuce did best with 12.56 litres/100 km, Bruce Joelson (BMW 1200C) was second and Gus Barbosa's Harley Night Train in third.
Biggest bike participating, piloted by Gerhard Schutte, the 2 300cc Triumph Rocket III, managed 6.22 litres/100 km..
Class H is where riders like company and take a pillion passenger along. Here Chris Nel concentrated on riding his Yamaha TDM850 to post an excellent 4.41 litres/100 km two up.
Clive Mc Ilrath Suzuki D/L 1000 and pillion was second and Francois Fouche's third with passenger on a Yamaha XT 600 was commendable.
Last but not least is class I for pre-1990 bikes and their usually more mature riders. This time young Marius Spies (BMW R100RS) showed them home with 4.66 litres/100 km, followed by Len Weterman (Kawasaki ZX 11) and Robbie Beeton on a Moto Guzzi.
The lower figures achieved this year reflect the influence of some wind, fairly high average speeds and even some mist and light drizzle in the mountains on the second day. So much so that the Battler's Trophy was awarded to Jenny Gill who was penalised 11.5 points while trying to keep up with the pace on her BMW F650CS.
