Days to Revamped Roof of Africa

The final entry list for the 44th running of the event contains 234 names, among them 26 international competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the UK and Portugal.

Mike Glover, of organising group Red Cherry Adventures, has revealed that while the race will start with the traditional "round the Houses" street race in the capital, Maseru, some new elements have been added to delight both spectators and riders.

A group of experienced Roof riders was responsible for plotting the route.

Glover said: "We really wanted to create a route that would not only challenge all the competitors but also expose them to awesome new areas and some of the most beautiful riding scenery anyone could hope for."

Changes include the reverse running of the street race to which man-made obstacles have been added, a new time-trial section at Thaba Bosiu (about 20km outside Maseru) and a six-kilometre climb up the Mankaluba Pass, with its summit at 2286m, which has never been ridden.

With mountain passes bearing names such as Black Neck Pass, Spiderman, Hijack, Mad Cow, Free Fall and Cannibal Bridge, competitors will be forgiven for being slightly daunted.

However, spectators can kick back every night at the new Roof Fan Zone at the Lesotho Sun where the day’s action will be replayed on the big screen and schedules for the next day’s racing revealed. Shuttles will operate between Free Fall and Bushman’s Pass.