Wade Young (Sherco Factory Racing powered by Motul) won the Roof of Africa extreme enduro race for the seventh time and now sits only two behind record holder Alfie Cox, who won his last title in 2001.
The defending champion didn’t have it all his own way in Lesotho, and it certainly wasn’t a ‘procession’ for him on the final day.
He was pushed hard by Mani Lettenbichler (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and for some part of the morning, Travis Teasdale (ASP Rope Mclarens Racing), who finished second and third respectively.
“I went out hot and tried to ride as smoothly as possible, maintaining my intensity and minimising mistakes so that the riders in pursuit would have to push hard, and take more chances on the unforgiving terrain,” he said.
By halfway, just after Soldiers Way, he had pulled away to a 4:30 minute lead but Mani clawed some of that back to just over 2:24 minutes by the finish.
“The Maloti Mountain weather presented us with some serious logistical challenges this year – even more so than usual,” said Charan Moore, Roof race director and founder of Live Lesotho.
“We’re especially proud that we were able to deliver another classic edition of the Roof, and that we could provide a rewarding challenge for everyone from the world’s top enduro riders to the weekend warriors in the Iron Class,” he added.
Once again, it was the riders in the Silver Class who had the longest day in the saddle, and this is where perhaps the greatest upset happened.
Overnight leader Austin Stuart (Orange County KTM) saw his 25-minute lead whittled away due to technical difficulties, leaving the way open for a trio of young Durban riders to occupy the podium.
Luke Walker (Motorex Alfie Cox KTM) and 16-year-old prodigy Thomas Scales (Ride KTM Durban) both passed Walker’s teammate Daniel Schröder, with Walker’s winning time being 9h32:27 across the three days.
The battle for the Bronze Class honours was hard-fought to the end, with Tate Ströh ultimately emerging victorious on one of just four Yamahas in the finishing field of 200 bikes.
His winning margin was just over 22 minutes from Stiaan Potgieter (KTM), and Stefan Tolmay (also KTM) in third.
Meanwhile, riders in the Iron Class completed the full route for Day 2 with the winner being Tom Classen (KTM) who led from start to finish. He was joined on the podium by Pieter Kritzinger in second and Jack Brotherton in third, both also on KTM bikes.
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