PRESS RELEASES
MR PRICE YAMAHA’S YOUNG MARC TORLAGE FASTEST AFTER ROOF OF AFRICA TIME-TRIAL
Thursday 24 November, Lesotho – Mr Price Yamaha’s Marc Torlage posted the fastest time for the short 50km time-trial in the Thaba Bosiu area on the first day of the Roof of Africa that kicked off this year’s 44th event outside Maseru in Lesotho today in weather conditions that varied from hot and shiny to a hail storm with extreme wind.
Torlage, who dislocated his shoulder two weeks ago and had to reset it himself in the middle of the bush, started the Round the Houses street race in Maseru with this injury, but admitted that within the first kilometre of the race, he hit a rock and realised quickly that the injury was healed and his shoulder was 100%.
Torlage had to call it a day last year while running with the top five when he broke his toes, but got his 2011 onslaught off to a good start putting his 250cc Yamaha on pole position for Racing Section Two on Friday, 25 November. Jade Gutzeit (Proudly Bidvest Yamaha) will tackle the 199km route just 32 seconds behind Torlage after losing some time at the cross-over between the two loops of the figure of eight structure of the Time-Trial.
Kenny Gilbert (KTM) is some 55 seconds behind Gutzeit and only 15 seconds ahead of a jet-lagged Graham Jarvis (Flite Extreme Husaberg) who is attempting his first Roof of Africa. Jarvis won this past weekend in Australia, flew back to the UK and landed in South Africa a day before the race (Wednesday). Jarvis, who has won four World Extreme Enduro races this year, figured out how the traditional ‘Roof Marking’ (pink spray-paint on rocks and structures) together with the routes on the GPS worked and will start just ahead of three times Roof of Africa winner, Chris Birch (Comsol Alfie Cox Racing KTM).
Birch is, however, not worried about his starting position for the first ‘real’ day of racing in the mountains as he also lost time together with Gutzeit while he also admitted to lose some more time on the route. Three riders have posted exactly the same time for the Time-Trial – the Gold Class winner for Round the Houses, Brian Capper (Full Throttle Red Bull KTM), Wynand Badenhorst (Nomadik Tents KTM) and the UK trials specialist, Ben Hemingway (Fever / cc Gallery KTM) who is also attempting his first Roof of Africa together with his brother Dan who posted the 33rd fastest time, 6min 13s behind the winner.
Ben’s team-mate for this event, Adrian Werner, will be 10 seconds behind him while Darryl Curtis will be the first Brother Broadlink KTM rider on the starting grid after posting the 10th fastest time. Curtis and Birch admitted to being a bit more careful in the mountains as they will both be lining up for their first Dakar Rally on January 1st 2012.
The Brother Broadlink KTM filled the 10th to the 15th place on the results with Riaan van Niekerk 19 seconds behind Curtis and 11 seconds ahead of Altus de Wet with the UK’s Paul Bolton and Gray Dick just behind them. Andreas Lettenbichler (Montage Print Husqvarna) rounded off the top 15. The German will start just ahead of Jade’s younger brother, Blake Gutzeit (Fever Yamaha) who will in turn be leading Bradly van Aswegen (Kargo Racing Yamaha) and three New Zealand riders – Karl Power (Shimwells Yamaha); Mitchell Nield (Gas Gas) and Michael Skinner (Team Liquorland KTM).
There were problems for Kargo Racing’s Mark Garland who drowned his Husaberg and will start in 94th position, two places ahead of the motocross champion, Richard van der Westhuizen (Proudly Bidvest Yamaha) who is trying enduro racing for the first time. Another mx racer, Botswana’s Ross Branch (Honda) posted the 23rd fastest time today.
While the Round the Houses section of the Silver Class was won by Tyson Labuschagne (KTM), Robert Philips (KTM) posted the fastest time for the time-trial (he finished 38th overall). He was followed by Faan van Deventer (Yamaha – 45th) and Laurence Truter (KTM) who was 55th overall.
Graham Ellison (KTM) pocketed prize money for winning the Bronze Class at Round the Houses, but Proudly Bidvest Yamaha’s Tshkoholo Mojaki will lead the Bronze Class tomorrow after he was the fastest after the 51km time-trial. The Eastern Cape rider (Mojaki) was 60th overall and will have Garth Prost (Brother at your Size/EZAIR Racing KTM) behind him (he finished 74th after time-trial) with Terence Shacklady (Yamaha), who was 110th fastest, the third rider in this class.
The only female entrant, Toni Jardine (125cc Yamaha) finished the time-trial and will be part of the 218 starters on Friday.
Friday’s racing section will start at 06h00 in the Ha Molangoane area from where Gold Class entrants will have to complete a 199km distance; Silver Class riders will have to do a shorter 136km section while Bronze Class riders will tackle a 85km route. Spectators are welcome.
WORDS FROM MIKE
Hi all Dirt Bikers
It has been interesting to see the posts on E dirt and the fact that I am getting it in the neck for not keeping the masses up to date. No excuse but the reality is that since we were contracted to stage the Roof there has been an enormous amount of "foundation" issues to deal with. The 1st one being bringing in the sponsors as without monies, this event cannot run. We have been enormously successful in this regards. The second one was to work the route in such a way so as to provide easy spectator access and heaps of action. Seamus and Errol have put a great route together and so on and so on. Here in no specific order is what I can tell you so long
Gold Silver and Bronze concept
This will come into effect on Friday and Saturday and these finish areas have been finalized Please understand that we will not disclose details of these areas until after the 4th Nov when riding in Lesotho by race entrants comes to an end. The Start is common but the finishes are different based on your class. There is only one route so the Gold ride through the Bronze and Silver finishes.
Some of the scenarios
1. If you enter Bronze or Silver you cannot proceed past these points and your race finishes at the class you entered
2. The Time Trial will determine your start position for day 2 irrespective of class. i.e. if a Bronze wins the time trial he starts 1st
3. If you enter as a Silver for example and you decide to finish at Bronze ... that choice is yours and you will score as a bronze finisher
4. If you enter as Gold, and you have problems on Friday and only finish as a Bronze and then on the Saturday you finish Gold, you will be scored as Silver. You will however get the slowest Silver time on Friday added to your time you cross the Silver finish on Saturday.
The Route
All I can tell you about the route is that it does not start at Roma but close by. It is all accessible by Tar roads and there is no DSP at Ramabanta. It is designed as mentioned early to attract massive spectator appeal and no gravel roads for vehicles .For example the Bronze Finish on Saturday is the same finish as Gold on Friday... its going to be tough but will be a help zone . After the 4th Nov you will get far more detail as we can then disclose the route with no concerns re "pre riding" . The Time Trial is also starting from a new location and Round the Houses will no longer determine the start position for the time trial. WE made a decision to allow competitors to start the Time Trial when ever they like between 10 and 2 pm on the Thursday. The Gold class will start the Round the Houses 1st to allow them if they want to start Time Trial 1st for fear of being slowed up .
Another thing I can tell you is that the Time Trial will be more technical and will have a clover leaf configuration bringing the riders back past the hospitality villages 3 times.
Lesotho Sun
Lesotho Sun will be race HQ and we are finalising putting a Fan park into the hotel as a central meeting and drinking hole for spectators and those "back of the Pack" die hards. Booze will be subsidized to attract the masses.
Hospitality
We have hospitality villages at all the Bronze, Silver and Gold Finishes on all 3 days with lots to eat and drink and yes ... There will be "rubbish bins". The finishes will all be epic
Camping
I have just finalised negotiations with the soccer club in the heart of Maseru to give us a secure camping area. It is R200 per night incl breakfast i.e. R800 package and the Prize giving will be held in the same venue so you get access to the party. Toilets, showers etc will guarantee a great party place. Please contact team@redcherry.co.za if you want to take up this option. Area is secure and security will be tight. We also have limited accommodation in rooms at R450 Bed and Breakfast twin sharing in the same facility.
If you guys have any specific questions I am more than happy that you mail me at mike@redcherry.co.za ... I'm on Enduro Africa till the 26th so may take a day or 2 to respond. I travel to Maseru on the 5th to ride entire route and sign off... (May take me a week to ride...ha ha)
See ya at the Roof
Mike
Mike Glover
ENTRIES ARE STREAMING IN FOR THE 44TH ROOF OF AFRICA
Tuesday,
October 18, 2011 -
The entries are streaming in for the 2011 Roof of Africa enduro race, by now
reckoned as one of the most demanding and grueling enduro motorcycle races in
the world that will take place this year from the 24th to the 26th November in
the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. It will be the 44th year this race will take
place in South Africa’s neighboring country.
Sponsors have been signing up fast to be part of the action and companies like
Sun International; Alliance; KTM and Honda; Mitas Tires; Tiger Wheel and Tire;
Leatt Brace; Garmin and Red Bull are all excited to be part of the epic event.
Organised by the Lesotho Off-road Association (LORA) partnered this year by
Red Cherry Adventures, the 2011 event promises to be even bigger and better
than the extremely successful 2010 race that saw the introduction of the
Bronze, Silver and Gold distances giving competitors a fair chance to complete
certain sections of this tough event.
Experienced race organiser, former competitor and owner of Red Cherry Adventures, Mike Glover, has been appointed as the Race Director and his years of racing experience will be carried over to the 2011 Roof of Africa to ensure that the event will be inscribed in the record books as another success. According to Glover, Red Cherry Adventures and LORA is extremely excited about the 2011 running of this event and are looking forward to supply all competitors, loyal supporters of the event and sponsors with a memorable event. “The entries are streaming in and we have to date received about 150 entries of which quite a few entries are from international competitors,” Glover said. “These include the three times defending champion, Chris Birch, who have temporarily moved from New Zealand to South Africa while 2010 podium finisher, Andreas Lettenbichler, from Germany has again entered on a Husqvarna,” he said.
International competitors can be sure that the South African heroes are taking “their” race serious and are ready for the battle in the mountains of Lesotho. Birch has won the South African national enduro championship, but the 2010 Roof of Africa runner-up and double SA national off-road title holder, Jade Gutzeit, who has also won this race in the past, has been too close to victory to let go and will again be a serious contender this year. There are strong rumors that even more international stars will enter for the event and organisers are urging all entrants to get their entries in as soon as possible to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
While LORA and Red Cherry Adventures are putting the final touches to this year’s edition, experienced off-road and enduro competitor, Errol Dalton, who can tick off competing in this event probably the most times (more than 20!) has been very busy assisting with finding and marking the route in conjunction with LORA members and the local chiefs. The route for the 2011 Roof of Africa will again be demanding and fitness as well as mental strength will play a big role. The race will again start with the traditional Around the Houses race (three laps of 3.6km each) that will take place on Thursday, 24 November, in the streets of Maseru. After racing in the streets, competitors will then do a time-trial and this year competitors will be allowed to start the time-trial on their own time between 10h00 and 14h00. The time-trial has been designed with a clover leaf route to give maximum spectator appeal and will be more technical than previous years. The results of the time-trial will determine the starting order for Racing Section Two on Friday (25 November) when the leading competitor will tackle the race at 06h00. Surviving riders will take on Racing Section Three on Saturday (26 November), again at 06h00. There will be pre-determined cut-off times after a certain amount of racing kilometers for entrants in the Bronze (50%) and Silver (75%) Classes while entrants in the Gold Class will have to complete the full race distance.
Competitors are only allowed to “practice” in Lesotho until the 4th of
November and riders are urged to ensure they know and understand all the rules
and regulations for the race. More information and updates on the 2011 Roof of
Africa can be found on the website www.roofofafrica.co.ls
2011 ROOF OF AFRICA – BIGGER AND BETTER!!
The Roof of Africa race, reckoned as one of the toughest motorcycle Enduro race in the world is all systems go and race organisers are confident that this will be one of the best “Roofs” ever. The dates are 24 – 26 November 2011 with race HQ being Maseru Lesotho and will mark the 44th running of this prestigious event.
The 2010 event was extremely successful and the finish at the top of Bushman’s Pass could not have been more exciting. A few lessons were learnt and the 2011 Roof will see a full integration of the Bronze, Silver and Gold concept from Day 2. This will allow riders to decide up front which class they want to ride so it really is a “Roof for All”. It’s not going to be easy but if you are fit and a capable off roader, you will get the T Shirt.
Lesotho Off Road Association ( LORA) has decided to partner with Red Cherry Adventures and Mike Glover has been appointed as Race Director. According to a spokesperson for LORA, Charles Mopeli, the Association is looking forward to host this event again but needed help in making sure that the Roof of Africa maintains its long and rich racing history and with the help of red Cherry would like to see this event going from strength to strength,” he said.
LORA together with Motorsport SA, Red Cherry and its numerous sponsors, partners, competitors and spectators can once again look forward to a demanding, tough but doable race that will stretch over three days beginning with the traditional and extremely popular Round the Houses race in the streets of Maseru.
“Over the last few years, it has become a motorcycle-only event and has drawn even more international competitors. The Roof of Africa has become one of those events on the racing calendars of many International and local Riders as a “Must Do” event.
The fact that our own Kiwi, Chris Birch, who has been living in South Africa this year and has won it three times from 2008 to 2010 and the likes of South Africa’s Jade Gutzeit and many top internationals would love to topple Chris off that No 1 Podium.
The 2011 Roof of Africa will again, like during its history spanning more than four decades, be an FIM event. Motorsport SA and LORA have worked hard to settle their differences and work together towards making the 2011 running of the event a massive success.
The organisers, LORA in partnership with Red Cherry Adventures are looking forward to work again closely with all their partners, sponsors and supporters.
2011 ROOF OF AFRICA RACE TO GO AHEAD IN LESOTHO
The Roof of Africa race, reckoned as one of the
toughest motorcycle enduro race in the world, will go ahead
from 24 – 26 November 2011 in Lesotho and will mark the 44th running of this
prestigious event.
After the success of the 2010 event and the international interest in this
race, the Lesotho Off-road
Association (LORA) together with Motorsport SA and its sponsors and partners,
competitors can again look
forward to a demanding, but doable race that will stretch over three days
beginning with the traditional and
extremely popular Round the Houses race in the streets of Maseru.
According to a spokesperson for LORA, Charles Mopeli, the Association is
looking forward to host this
event again. “The Roof of Africa has a long and rich racing history and we
would like to see this event going
from strength to strength,” he said.
“Over the last few years, it has become a motorcycle-only event and has drawn
even more international
competitors. It has become one of those events on the racing calendars of all
the top enduro and extreme
enduro riders that they have to do some or other time in their careers,”
stated Mopeli, “and now they want to
beat our own Kiwi, Chris Birch, who has been living in South Africa this year
and has won it three times from
2008 to 2010!”
The 2011 Roof of Africa will again, like during its history spanning more than
four decades, be an FIM
event. Motorsport SA and LORA worked hard to settle their differences and work
together towards making
the 2011 running of the event a success.
The Roof of Africa also has a long history with its partners that include the
motorcycle manufacturers, KTM
and Yamaha while the Sun International Group, with its two Maseru hotels, the
Lesotho Sun and Maseru
Sun, has always played a big role in the success of the event.
The organisers, LORA in partnership with Adventure Lesotho, are looking
forward to work again closely with
all their partners, sponsors and supporters.
