Day One of the2018 Motul Roof of Africa was a day of contrasting fortunes for the leading riders from yesterday’s

In the GoldClass, overnight leader Travis Teasdale (Beta Racing) surrendered his advantage over defending champion Wade Young (Sherco Racing). After being passed by Young, he lost touch and dropped back. Once he’d overtaken Teasdale, Young didn’t look back. His total race time of 8h28’30” gave him a lead of just under40 minutes by the end of Day One.
While Young was alone for most of the day, a real tussle was going on just behind Teasdale for third place. As impressive clouds gathered overhead, Dwayne Kleynhans (BrotherLeader Tread KTM) managed to hold off Kyle Flanagan (Bidvest bLU cRU Yamaha) by 1 second, with rising star Lloyd Kirk (also Bidvest bLU cRU Yamaha) a further 7seconds back.

By working together, these 3 riders from competing teams had managed to share navigational duties and
Indeed, several riders asserted that this had been “a proper Roof” and that as well as a number of new technical passes, the scrub and rocks in between had been relentless and “in your face”. Not that this seemed to have slowed down today’s winner: Wade Young remarked that he “felt great” after a

While Young has what might seem a comfortable cushion over his rivals, the heavy rains forecast for tonight and tomorrow mean that the overall result for this year’s Roof of Africa is far from a foregone conclusion.
In the Silver Class, perfectly embodies Kayde Mante (RBS Yamaha) lost his lead to Warren Barwell (KTM) but is a mere 1 second behind, with Paul Grobler (KTM) occupying

Despite the challenges of yesterday’s very wet time trial, the feedback from the Bronze Class riders was also very positive, and it was clear from those for third stopped at the Designated Service Point that the Roof was more than living up to their expectations.

Matthew Burger (LeaderTread Husqvarna) was the first Bronze rider home, with Vincent Labuschagne (on one of 3 KTM 500’s in the event ) in second and Hannes Saaijman (KTM) in third. At the time of going to press, over 100 Bronze Class competitors were still for third the course – proving once again that the 2018 Motul Roof of Africa deserves to be known as the Mother of Hard Enduro.
For more information on the Motul Roof of Africa 2018, visit http://roofofafrica.co.ls

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