It’s the start of the 7th edition of the Lesotho Sky. What’s started seven years ago with a handful of passionate (and crazy) mountain bikers, grew into one of Africa’s must-do MTB events of the year. This year is going to be an all new experience for everyone involved. We’ve flipped the race upside down, literally. Old classics will be done in reverse, putting a whole new spin on things. We’ve got a brand new stage in Roma and lots of new additions to the established routes.

The competition will be fierce at the front, with local MTB heroes battling it out with international pro riders. Swiss duo Mathias Flückiger and Ralph Näf riding for Radon Factory XC Team will be a team to watch. Lesotho legend Phetetso Monese will again partner with tough-as-nails Stuart Marais. They showed great form last year, especially towards the end of the week. If they get a good start, they will be difficult to keep off the podium come Saturday.

On the women’s side, only one team entered for this year’s event. It’s been a shortfall in the past that we hope to see change the future. This year’s team, however will give most men a good run for their money. Ila Stow and Frankie du Toit will be riding for SAICA and although they will not have any female competition, they are too competitive not to leave bruised male egos in their wake.

We’ve got live tracking on the website, a crazy dude on an e-bike with a GoPro, a seriously talented race photographer and a world class film-crew on the ground (and in the air). Follow all the action on social media, join the #rideofpassage conversation and support your friends as they race through the original #mountainbikekingdom.