The Roof of Africa, to be held from November 24 to 27, 2021, is dubbed one of the toughest enduros in the world as bikers ride through a mountainous terrain of 300km.
It is one of the most extreme races in the land as it tests the strength of the person and the machine in a space of three days. It attracts over 400 riders from across the world of which on average, just more than half can reach the finish line. Stephens had a bitter debut at the Roof of Africa in 2019 as he failed to complete the race due to a mechanical breakdown. The biker, whose first appearance at the race was marred by poor preparations and limited funds told Mmegi Sport he is keen to finish in the top 20 of the bronze class this year. He said the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), through the Zebra Athlete Fund, has provided financial assistance. With the off-the-track demands met, Stephens said he is ready to do battle against the demanding mountains of Lesotho. “I am on a new bike, which I got through the BNSC Zebra Fund so am hoping for the best, and hopefully the bike will not break. I am looking to start and finish the race. The strategy is to try to save as much energy as I can. This is an extreme event, racing over three days of technical and excruciating biking over mountains.
