JOHANNESBURG - More than 400 riders will tough it out when one of Africa's most iconic Hard Enduro events returns on 24 November, after the Motul Roof of Africa saw its second-ever postponement as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

To celebrate its return, a new Iron Class has been added to give lesser experienced riders the chance to experience the mountains of Lesotho from the saddle. The new class will be run alongside the established Gold, Silver and Bronze Classes.

Event organisers of Live Lesotho have refined the format to achieve a perfect balance between challenging elements and striving to ensure the safety of riders and their support crews. This will see each rider limited to just five support crew members.

The format this year will be similar to 2019, with the notable exception of the EnduroX component. The organisers decided to avoid mass gatherings while Covid-19 is still a consideration. 

Wednesday, 24 November, is set aside for riders to complete the required documentation and scrutineering sessions. While the process, which will take place at the Avani Lesotho Hotel and Casino, will be streamlined to facilitate social distancing, it will not be less rigorous, Live Lesotho promises. 

Thursday was supposed to see the Round the Houses component through the streets of Maseru.

But the section according to Keketso Malebo, the Public Relations Officer of the Lesotho Off Road Association (LORA) has been cancelled because it was not properly prepared for.

The same day, (Thursday) a Time Trial for all classes will be held in Thaba Bosiu on the outskirts of the capital Maseru.

Friday November 26 and Saturday 27 will be Race Day 1 and 2, respectively, and the start/finish will be in Thaba Bosiu, headquarters for the event. 

Charan Moore, Motul Roof of Africa Route Director and Manager of Live Lesotho, said: "This year's Motul Roof of Africa will be the result of two years' planning and plotting new routes, so we're certain that riders will feel it was worth the wait. We can confidently promise both Roof rookies and returning riders a rewarding, challenging course - something they will never forget."

Defending Roof champion Wade Young of the Sherco Racing Factory Motul Team, hot off the international circuit, will head this year's field. Young defend his crown in the face of stiff Gold Class competition from the likes of Travis Teasdale (Trax GasGas), Brett Swanepoel (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), Matt Green (Matthew Green Racing), Luke Walker (McLarens bLU cRU Yamaha), Kerim Fitzgerald (Red Bull KTM) and Heinrich Aust (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).

Kirsten Landman (Brother Leadertread KTM) will be tackling the Gold Class as training for next year's Dakar Rally. Confirmed participants in other classes include riders from the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Egypt, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland, and a strong showing of Basotho riders.

Motul, always a strong presence in local motorsport, will be sponsoring the Bike Wash facility in partnership with Eco Tanks and Goscor Power Products, with Craig Kruger and his team providing facility management.