Roof of Africa ‘brutal’
Two South Coasters provided a thrilling finish to the race.
THIS year’s Roof of Africa, in Lesotho, was reckoned to be one of the toughest to date, with torrential downpours making life very challenging for the riders.
Of the 366 entrants only 62 completed the race.
One rider who got undone by the weather was defending champion Wade Young, who blew his engine on a really slippery incline on day two. No doubt, he will be back with a vengeance next year.
Quite a few of the riders spent night two in the mountains, including Yamaha Japan’s Yuichi Nishimori.
His team frantically searched for him in the dark. In the meantime he was safely tucked up warmly in a local Lesotho household.
Asked about this experience he exclaimed, through an interpreter, ‘Wonderful people, wonderful country’.
For R100, he got a warm bed and a square meal, and the locals sent a runner to Roma police station to inform the organisers of his whereabouts.
The good news is that all competitors got down safely the next day.
Great Britain’s Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) took the overall honours, with Kiwi Chris Birch (KTM) in second place, about an hour behind.
“I wish that it would rain every year, this was my toughest Roof to date and it was fantastic to take the win,” said Jarvis.
One of the highlights of the race was the mad dash for third place. Spectators sitting at the top of Bushman were thrilled to see two riders tearing up the pass and engaging in a full on dice to the end.
Sherco’s Blake Gutzeit of Oslo Beach, chased hard by Scott Bouverie (KTM) of Harding, was the first South African to cross the finish line after seven and a half long hours in the saddle. “It was the hardest enduro that I have ever ridden,” said Bouverie.
Adjusted times saw ‘Scotty B’ moved to third but it was an amazing, emotional finish from these very talented youngsters.
A look at the different brands in the top 10 made for interesting reading: two Husqvarnas, three Yamahas, two KTMs, two Betas and a Sherco.
While the competition among the riders is fierce, the competition among
the manufacturers of the bikes they ride is no less intense.
The prestige of winning this type of event can often translate directly into success on the showroom floor.
The old adage “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” is so true in this highly specialised industry.
