The Lesotho Off Road Association (LoRA) is gearing up to deliver a world-class edition of the iconic Roof of Africa. This edition is set to make history and place the Mountain Kingdom firmly on the global motorsport stage.
Widely celebrated as “The Mother of Hard Enduro,” the country’s oldest and most prestigious off-road motorcycle race will take place from 19 to 22 November 2025. More than 400 riders from around the world are expected to tackle Lesotho’s unforgiving terrain. The event will roar to life in Maseru on the opening day before shifting to Ha-Lebamang, Roma, where riders will battle the mountains over the remaining three days.
This year’s edition is particularly monumental. For the first time ever, the Roof of Africa has been officially recognised by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) as part of the Hard Enduro World Championship (HEWC). This means the Roof of Africa 2025 will serve as the final and decisive round of the 2025 championship, the race where the new Hard Enduro World Champion will be crowned, right here in Lesotho.
This breakthrough elevates our country onto the global motorsport map like never before. It is a proud moment for the nation, offering an opportunity to showcase its rugged landscapes, rich culture, and world-class riding terrain to international audiences, teams, and media.
While the 2024 edition attracted 506 competitors from 12 countries, the 2025 event will feature just over 400 riders from an estimated 15 nations, a more compact but even more competitive lineup. Among them will be 20 local riders eager to challenge some of the world’s best.
The international field is expected to be exceptionally strong, with top HEWC stars confirmed to compete. These include Billy Bolt, reigning giants like Manuel Lettenbichler, and Teodor Kabakchiev, as well as Lesotho’s own dominant force, Wade Young, who boasts an incredible nine Roof of Africa victories to his name.
The Roof of Africa is more than a sporting event, it is a major economic engine for the country. In 2024, the race injected an estimated M5 million into the local economy through spending on accommodation, food, transportation, and services.
With the 2025 edition now an official stop on the Hard Enduro World Championship calendar, Lesotho is set to welcome even more visitors, larger teams, and greater international exposure. The resulting financial boost is expected to surpass previous years, offering immense benefits to tourism operators, small businesses, and local communities across the race zones.
As anticipation builds, one thing is clear; Roof of Africa 2025 will be unlike any edition before it. Bigger, tougher, globally significant, and proudly Basotho. The world will be watching as Lesotho shows once again why it remains the true home of hard enduro.
