Sechaba Chabeli once again carried the hopes of the home crowd as the Roof of Africa returned to Roma for another gruelling round of hard-enduro racing, finishing 10th in the Silver category to remain Lesotho’s top-performing rider.
Chabeli completed the race in 11:59:04, improving significantly on his performance from last year when he finished ninth in 12:16:09.
The improvement of 17 minutes and five seconds, however, came with mixed feelings for the local rider as he slipped one place in the standings and fell short of his personal target.
Chabeli had set his sights on at least a second-place finish, a result he said would have given him the confidence to move up to the prestigious Gold category next year.
In the Bronze category, Moosa Shabeer also flew the national flag with distinction, finishing seventh overall in 7:28:04.
Despite the individual performances, the numbers remain a concern for local hard-enduro enthusiasts.
Lesotho fielded 11 riders in this year’s event, but only Chabeli and Katleho Tlhaole competed in the Silver category, while no local rider lined up in Gold, the event’s most demanding class.
Meanwhile, motorcycle enthusiasts braved the rain to witness the roar of engines as riders tackled the rugged mountains around Ha-Lebamang in Roma.
The challenging course tested competitors with steep climbs, rocky terrain and unfamiliar sections, demanding exceptional endurance, precision and motorcycle-handling skills.
Bulgarian rider Teodor Kabakchiev claimed the Big Loop victory, completing the sixth round of the competition in 5:48:58.
South African rider Wade Young finished second in 5:49:30, while Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler secured third place in 5:51:12.
South Africa’s Matthew Green was fourth in 5:52:49, followed by compatriots Kyle Flanagan and Luke Walker.
Kabakchiev also emerged as the only rider to break the 10-hour barrier in the Gold category, stopping the clock at 9:59:46 after three days of brutal racing in Roma and Ha Lebamang, which began on Thursday.
The Gold podium carried its own compelling storyline, with nine-time Roof of Africa champion Wade Young making his return to the event after burn injuries forced him to miss last year’s edition.
Beyond the competition, the Roof of Africa once again showcased Lesotho’s spectacular mountain landscapes to riders, support crews, spectators and international audiences.
The event provides an important platform for promoting Lesotho as a destination for tourism, adventure and sporting activities, while attracting visitors who contribute to local economic activity.
Hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other businesses can benefit from the influx of international riders, support teams and spectators during the event.
The international exposure generated by the race also highlights Lesotho’s rugged terrain, high-altitude landscapes and outdoor adventure opportunities, strengthening the country’s tourism offering.
With its challenging mountain routes and striking scenery, Lesotho provides a distinctive setting for one of Africa’s most demanding hard-enduro events.
The latest edition also highlighted the need to broaden Lesotho’s representation in the upper categories as the country continues to host an event that draws some of the world’s leading hard-enduro competitors.
Summary
- Sechaba Chabeli once again carried the hopes of the home crowd as the Roof of Africa returned to Roma for another gruelling round of hard-enduro racing, finishing 10th in the Silver category to remain Lesotho’s top-performing rider.
- Chabeli had set his sights on at least a second-place finish, a result he said would have given him the confidence to move up to the prestigious Gold category next year.
- The latest edition also highlighted the need to broaden Lesotho’s representation in the upper categories as the country continues to host an event that draws some of the world’s leading hard-enduro competitors.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
