Roof of Africa woos top riders from Europe

MASERU – Organisers of the Roof of Africa, Lesotho’s legendary off-road motorbike race, are taking steps to get the race into the world racing calendar in order to attract top riders from Europe.

The Lesotho Off-Road Association (LORA) spokesperson Lehlohonolo Taela has confirmed the plans and said they have registered 410 riders coming for this year’s showpiece billed to take place from November 9 to 12.

Dubbed the ‘Mother of Hard Enduro’, the race presents riders with different challenges every year due to its uniquely difficult terrain. The three-day showpiece has grown in stature every year and this time it will have some of the best Enduro racers coming from Spain, Romania and New Zealand amongst others.

The majority of the racers will still be coming from South Africa with the defending champions Wade Young expected to come and defend his title.

British rider Graham Jarvis, who rides for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, is also expected to attend. Jarvis’ name has become synonymous with the Roof of Africa having attended almost every event over the last seven years.

Taela said the Enduro’s stalwarts will have to raise their level this time around though as they face fierce competition from other racers who are coming to the race for the first time, but have experience with hard enduro racing and have raced in Romania.

Taela said the Roof of Africa’s ability to still attract the top riders shows the growth of the race.

“We want to get the race into the world calendar so that the riders know when they come here, they will get points, but you know it’s a process to get there.

We have top riders coming this year, of course Young and Jarvis will be here too but they will be pushed to their limit by the racers coming this year, they will have to raise their level,” Taela said.

Registration for the race is closed for all four categories which are the gold, silver, bronze and iron classes.

As usual the race will be kick-started by the ‘round of house’ and entertainment at Maseru Club before the riders make their way to Lekhalong la Baroa.

The gold class which is for the elite races with the particular skillset to navigate hard terrain will do the Enduro cross.

This is a short but gruelling cross where the riders will get the chance to showboat their skills and what makes them the elite racers. The bronze and iron class will do a time trial to see how they will line up for the race.

As is always the case, emergency services will be on sight should there be a need for medical attention for the riders.

Some of the injuries and accidents are caused by riders getting lost and taking routes unsuitable for their level.

The local riders that will be riding this year are Timello Tšolo, Basia Maseatile, Besele Malakane and Shabeer Moosa and they will all be competing in the bronze class while Peter Andrews will be in the iron class. Joseph Motenane, however, is the recognised local name missing from the list and he will not be participating this year.

Tlalane Phahla