Leemisa Thuseho
LESOTHO’s top off-road rider, Sechaba Chabeli, has set his sights on a podium finish in this year’s edition of the iconic Roof of Africa, famously known as “The Mother of Hard Enduro”.
The event is scheduled for 24–26 September 2026 at Ha-Lebamang in Maseru.
This year’s Roof of Africa will be held earlier than its traditional late-November to early-December slot after being incorporated into the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship (HEWC) calendar last year.
The race will serve as Round Six of the nine-round 2026 FIM HEWC series.
Chabeli was Lesotho’s best performer in last year’s edition, securing a top-10 finish in the Silver category, the second-most challenging class for expert and semi-professional riders.
He finished ninth with a total time of 12:16:09 over the three days, a significant improvement on his 15th-place finish in 2023, when he clocked a time of 17:55:50.
His 2025 performance also marked a strong comeback after he missed the 2024 edition because of a broken hand.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times this week, Chabeli said he was determined to improve on last year’s result and make the podium.
“I will still be battling it out in the Silver category and my target is a podium finish,” Chabeli said.
“The preparations are very good and I am confident this time around. I have had some local companies and some in South Africa supporting me. I even got a new bike, so the support is very good.”
Chabeli said he would only consider moving up to the Gold category after achieving his target in Silver.
“I will only consider going for the Gold category after earning a podium finish in Silver,” he said.
Despite the Roof of Africa being staged on home soil, local riders have historically struggled to reach the podium.
Lesotho’s most notable achievement came in 1992, when Patrick Andrews won the Gold category, becoming the first and only local rider to win the premier class.
This year, Lesotho will have Katleho Tlhaole competing in Silver, while Besele Malekane, Shabeer Moosa, Timello Tsolo and Ulrich Popp will compete in Bronze.
The Iron category will feature David Salley, Eric Salley, Khala Nko, Moiphepi Bereng, Hlaoli Lesekele, Peter Andrews and Teddy Monaheng.
Veterans Moosa and Andrews bring valuable Roof experience to this year’s field, with both expected to play important roles in the local challenge.
Moosa has been training hard after finishing second overall in the Bronze category in 2023 and competing in Silver in 2024.
Nko will be looking to make a memorable debut, while brothers Eric and David Salley have gained valuable racing experience in South Africa ahead of the event.
Lesekele, Tlhaole and Popp will also look to use their familiarity with Lesotho’s challenging terrain to their advantage, while Bereng will be hoping to make his mark.
Meanwhile, fan favourite and nine-time Roof of Africa winner, Wade Young, will return this year after missing last year’s edition because of burn injuries.
He will face a tough challenge from fellow South African James Moore, who won the prestigious Gold category last year and will return to defend his title.
Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler, who finished second last year, and Britain’s Billy Bolt, who secured third place, have also confirmed their return to the Mountain Kingdom.
Lettenbichler was also crowned the 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship overall champion.
The Lesotho Off Road Association (LoRA) is hosting a press conference today at the ’Manthabiseng Convention Centre to officially share details of this year’s edition, including the race routes.
Registration for riders closed on Monday.
Source: Lesotho Times
