“The mother of hard enduro”, the Roof of Africa, had its forty sixth running in the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho this past weekend, and for what has now become synonymous with the local Basotho, the race brought the rain that the drought stricken country so badly needed. But what was a blessing for the Basotho farmers, was a curse for the 410 entrants into the Roof as they tackled the 360km race over the three days of the event. 
With riders well prepared to tackle the rocky and mountainous course, another dimension was added by the rain – and that was slick and super slippery MUD!
As has now become tradition, Yamaha supported every Yamaha entrant in the race via the Yamaha Roof of Africa Support Programme. This provides the Yamaha Roof pilot with service like a factory racer. At the end of each day, all the rider has to do is check his bike in to the Yamaha pits based at the Maseru Sun, and
This service is truly welcomed by the riders who, after a exhausting day riding the race, can relax and only have to worry about getting their bodies enough nutrition and rest for the next days onslaught, safe in the knowledge that their bike will be perfectly race ready by the morning’s 6am start.
With 24 Gold entries, 15 Silver entries and 5 bronze entries, the Yamaha Support Team worked late into each night to ensure that all the race bikes were in perfect running order for each race day’s start.
The incessant rain certainly took its toll on the 400 plus brave souls that tackled the start of the race, and by the end of the 360km, 3 day epic, there were a mere 23 riders that made it to the Gold finish line, the last one crossing the line just before 7pm on Saturday evening after spending more than 12 hours in the saddle to cover a mere 126km for the last day – a testament to just how tough the route was.
Of the 23 gold finishers, 8 pilots were riding Yamaha’s! With approximately 10% of the total entries, achieving more than 30% of the of the finishers is a testament not only to the commitment and tenacity of the Yamaha pilots, but also to the reliability and race prowess of the Yamaha race machines.
Proudly Bidvest Yamaha’s Kenny Gilbert brought his Yamaha YZ 290 F home in a strong sixth position – the third South African to cross the finish line, whilst Portable Shade Criterion Yamaha’s Bronson Louw, Damien Scott and Kyle Flanagan brought their Yamaha YZ 250 F’s home in 10th, 18th and 23rd positions respectively. The real story behind these results however, is that these three lads, all aged between 17 and 18 years of age, really showed that they are the future of
South African enduro racing.
Liquorland Yamaha’s William “Wild Will” Gillitt finished his 21st Roof of Africa in 13th position on board his Yamaha WR 290 F, whilst his team mates James Hodson (Yamaha WR 250 F) and Nick Wade (Yamaha YZ 250) brought their stead’s home in 8th and 20th position respectively. Hodson rounded off the best racing season of his career with an incredible Roof ride, which saw him running in third position overall at one stage in the race.
Kargo Yamaha’s Mike Pentacost, the 2013 National Off Road OR3 class Champion, brought his Yamaha WR 250 F home in a very credible 21st position, in his first attempt at the Mother of Hard Enduro.
All in all, the 2013 Roof of Africa proved to be the toughest Roof yet, and this was further enhanced by the weather. Any rider that made it to the finish line deserves the utmost respect. They are all winners, if not for winning the race, then for beating the Lesotho mountains and the elements to achieve their own personal goals.
