What Roof of Africa Report
Where Lesotho
When 30 November – 2 December 2023
Community South Africa National
Wade wins again, Binders star, pain for Team Tork Craft
Mr. Roof of Africa, Wade Young once again conquered the Mother of Hard Enduros, Roof of Africa in Lesotho over the weekend. Young took his eighth Roof victory, dominating the Round the Houses and Time Trial on his Sherco on Thursday, and Day 1 on Friday, before bringing it home on to win on Saturday. Young is now one Roof win away from matching another South African legend, Alfie Cox’s nine wins.
Another South African international, Matthew Green closed off his Junior Hard Enduro career in second on his KTM from Brett Swanepoel on another Sherco. Saturday sensation James Moore, who was quickest on the final day on his KTM, ended fourth. Only twelve of the 38 Gold riders to start, finished the 2023 Roof, with Tristan Tamsen fifth on his KTM from Cody Webb’s Sherco. KTM quartet Kyle Flanagan, Jaco den Heyer, Thomas Scales and Dylan Jones followed from Heinrich Aust’s Husqvarna and Matt Stevens’ KTM.
Team Tork Craft father and son team Ryan and Reece Hunt were among the huge Bronze class entry where they rode with the School of Hard Rocks Club, a gang of weekend warriors and some more serious riders by the names of Brad and Darryn Binder.
“We had so much fun at the Roof of Africa this year,” former international and multiple SA champion motocrosser Ryan Hunt explained. “The Round the Houses was splendid and the time trial a real challenge, and the two race days ware as tough as ever,. It was also extremely hot throughout, with Saturday’s temperatures soaring even higher. So eight hours in the saddle each day was a huge test of endurance and stamina.”
Louis-Bresler Knipe won the most competitive Bronze class win on his Sherco, where 138 machines of the 232 starters made the finish. Shabeer Moosa’s KTM ended second from Tyron Bird’s Husqvarna and KTM trio Mike Morris, Chris Christodoulou, and Franz Cepek. Moto GP stars, Brad Binder became the first of his profession ever to finish a hard enduro in 88th on his KTM, with brother Darren 105th on his Husqvarna.
Tate Ströh took Silver honours aboard a Yamaha as 24 of those 81 starters made it to the finish. Daniel Peckham’s Sherco was second from Grant Burton-Durham on a GasGas, Andrew Houston’s KTM, Liam Elkington riding a Husqvarna and Kevin de Kock’s KTM. And Jack Brotherton led Charles Harrison, Frans de Klerk, Petrie Roodt, Nathaniel Do Amaral, and LW Nel home in Iron, where 32 of the 57 finishers made it home, De Klerk’s GasGas was the only interloper in a KTM Iron top seven.
Sadly for Team Tork Craft, Ryan and Reece Hunt were going well and looking good for a top 50 Bronze finish when young Reece’s machine expired with just 20 kilometres to race and dad Ryan retired in sympathy. “Suppose that’s racing!” Ryan concluded. “This year’s Roof was brilliant and we spent many memorable hours riding with Brad and Darryn Binder and the guys, so this certainly is one for the books. Well done to the winners and to everyone who finished. The 2023 Roof of Africa finisher’s badge certainly is one to treasure!”
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