Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho Sky Mountain Bike race 9th edition was officially launched on Tuesday at an event held at Cafe What? This six day race will run from Monday, September 23rd to September 28th 2019 between
Roma and Malealea under the auspices of Lesotho Sky Events. The total route over the six days is 328km with 8913m of vertical climbing. The first race
will be at Roma- 38,9km while the second race will start from Roma to Malealea-85km. On the third day riders will endure Malealea 36,2km loop. On the fourth day the riders
will still ride at Malealea loop but take a longer distance-54,35km. The riders will then take 85,5km route back to Roma from Malealea. On the last day, there will be a cross country lap race at Roma.
Lesotho Sky Event director and founder, Christian Schmidt revealed that this year’s showpiece has attracted riders from 11 countries, Kenya, Uganda, United States of America (USA),
Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, South Africa and the host Lesotho. According to Schmidt over the past years Lesotho Sky has hosted riders from over 40 countries.
“Lesotho Sky’s role is to promote adventure tourism in Lesotho,” he mentioned. Lesotho will be represented by 3 clubs; Africa Dream Team, Team Alliance Insurance Company and Team Standard Lesotho Bank.
After finishing 3rd
last year with his partner Tumelo Makae, Lesotho’s Olympiad Phetetso Monese will this year team up with Pieter Korkie from South Africa representing Team Alliance.
Also from Lesotho, Lichaba
West and Katleho Manasi will be representing Team Standard Lesotho Bank. Last year Standard Lesotho Bank settled for 4th position through their representatives Manasi and Malefetsane Lesofe.
This year Lesofe is under
Africa Dream Team with his partner Eric Ramohanoe.
Alliance
Insurance Company Sales and Marketing Manager Limakatso Mokobocho reiterated that due to the mountain terrains Lesotho has, cycling has proved to be one of the fastest growing sport in the country.
She said they will keep on
sponsoring events like Lesotho Sky as their aim is to grow the sport locally.
“We want to see more local
riders participating and women too,” added Mokobocho.
In an attempt to improve
and enhance the growth of cycling in Lesotho, Schmidt mentioned that they introduced the first ever professional and competitive cycling league in the country- Sky Cycling League which started in November last year. The finals are set for 28th September at Roma Trading Post.
“Our vision is to expand
the league into all the 10 districts of Lesotho,” he mentioned.
