MASERU — The Roof of Africa off-road race starts today with 262 riders from around the globe expected to give defending champion Chris Birch a good run for his title.
The historic race is scheduled to begin at Lancers Inn in Maseru and will continue with the Round the House competition at Lancers Gap.
The competition will get more serious with riders going into the mountains starting from Roma to Semonkong, about 95km from Maseru.
The race will come to an end on Saturday with riders expected to finish off where they start in Roma.
“The registration lines were closed on 15th of November and 262 top riders from around the world have already registered for the race,” Roof of Africa co-ordinator Keketso Malebo told the Lesotho Times on Monday.
He said Birch, who has won the Roof of Africa title for the past two years, was likely to face stiff competition this time round.
“He is defending his title but he has very stiff competition from riders like Germans Andreas and Simo,” Malebo said.
“There are also quite a few big names that will also be looking to win this year’s race especially the South Africans,” he added.
The riders will use the Roof of Africa race to prepare for the 2011 World Xtreme Enduro Championship.
Roof of Africa is one of the “Big Five” making up the circuit of the new world championship.
