This is what it takes to ride the Motul Roof of Africa: Development riders tell all

It is one of the most gruelling and toughest races known to Enduro.

Entries are dived into three classes of difficulty- Gold, Silver and Bronze where riders battle it out for days on end riding on a motorcycle through the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho.

Development riders, Piwe Zulu and Thabang Katees (Herbalife bLU cRU Yamaha Racing Team) who took part in the Silver class talk about what it takes to ride The Mother of Hard Enduro; The Motul Roof of Africa, in a one on one.

Thabang Katees:

What were the physical demands of the race?
The race requires one to be physically strong. You have to lift your bike up hills and across rivers. Core strength was also vital because of the steep inclines you have to get up. An advance level of cardiovascular fitness is also required.

How did you train for the race?
I went to different riding tracks and trained with more advance riders to sharpen my skills and better my endurance. I also spent many hours each day in the gym, doing CrossFit and cycling. My eating programme and nutritional products of choice, Herbalife, also played a big part in preparing my body for the physical demands of the race.

How did you mentally prepare for the race?
I watched previous races and envisioned how I would take the routes. I also got a lot of rest closer to the race.

What was the terrain and weather like?
The terrain was rocky and steep, with challenging inclines and declines. I enjoyed the snow at the beginning of the race, it was great weather for endurance riding.

Will you take part next year, and what are your goals?
Yes, and my goals are to race in the Gold class and finish stronger than I did in 2017.

What would you change in your training before Motul Roof of Africa 2018?
I would like to go Lesotho more often ahead of the race for training and ride more with professional riders to learn from them.

Why did you choose the Motul Roof of Africa specifically to take part in?
Because it’s one of the toughest Enduro events in the world. It tests my limits, fitness and riding ability to the utmost and the experience is invaluable.

What does it take to complete the Motul Roof of Africa?
It takes allot of discipline and commitment especially when it comes to training and nutrition.

Which of your competitors did you look up to at this year’s event as a development rider and why? Blake Gutzeit, because his accomplishments in the sport inspires me and he always motivates at races.

Thabang’s rider profile: https://roofofafrica.info/2017/10/31/thabang-hendrik-katees/

Piwe Zulu:
What were the physical demands of the race?
Cardiovascular fitness and upper body strength are vital elements when you ride the Roof of Africa. It also takes a lot of skill to stick to GPS mounted to your motorbike to guide you through the route.

How did you train for the race?
My training for the Roof of Africa was very intense. I had to spend the biggest part of every day of the week in the gym where my training regime mostly included weight training and spinning. I also had to spend many hours in the saddle and do technical rides every night. I took Herbalife’s H24 products to strengthen my body and build stamina.

How did you mentally prepare for the race?
Training in the gym assisted with mental fitness. I also surround myself with mature and skilled riders who play a big part in my attitude towards challenges. Reduced training closer to the race also provided time for mental preparation, and building confidence.

What was the terrain and weather like?
The terrain expected allot from riders on a technical level. The weather was extremely cold in the beginning as it snowed in the Maluti mountains and temperatures dropped to as low as minus 4 degrees Celsius.

Will you take part next year, and what are your goals?
Yes I would love to go back again next year and race again.
My goal for 2018 is to finish among the top 20.

What would you change in your training before Motul Roof of Africa 2018?
I would like to up my speed with specific training methods to add to my endurance. I also want to include swimming in my training regime to optimize my upper body strength.

Why did you choose the Motul Roof of Africa specifically to take part in?
It was a dream of mine since I first started endurance riding and heard other riders speak about the event. I wanted to live the cultural experience in Lesotho and ride the challenging terrain the mountains present.

What does it take to complete the Motul Roof of Africa?
A fit, well-nourished body, a strong mind and a positive attitude towards testing circumstances.

Which of your competitors did you look up to at this year’s event as a development rider and why
I would say my Herbalife bLU cRU Yamaha team mate Thabang Katees. He is a very fast rider and I could not keep up with him in the national races ahead of the Roof of Africa.
Piwe’s rider Profile: https://roofofafrica.info/2017/10/17/piwe-zulu/

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