Lesotho Sky

The Lesotho Sky is a 6-day mountain bike stage race that takes place in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The event has been sanctioned by the Lesotho Cycling Association since 2011.[1] It has been accredited as category 1 by the Union Cycliste Internationale (the UCI). The event first took place in 2011 covering 430 km over the 6 days. More recently the route has shortened to 340 km with a time trial through the capital of Maseru to start. The Lesotho Sky is a small event but attracts professional and amateur riders from around the world. Riders are required to ride in teams of 2 that must stay within 2 minutes of each other throughout the event. The times taken for each team to finish each day are added together and the shortest total time is the winner.[2]

The Lesotho Sky
Race details
DateLast week of September
RegionLesotho
DisciplineMountain bike racing
TypeStage race
OrganiserSky Events (Pty) Ltd
Race directorDarol Howes
Web site[[http://www.lesothosky.com/%20www.lesothosky.com] www<wbr/>.lesothosky<wbr/>.com<wbr/>/%20www<wbr/>.lesothosky<wbr/>.com]]
History
First edition2011 (2011)
Editions4
First winner
  •  Kim Phillips (RSA)
  •  Marc Adam (RSA)
Most recent
  •  Louis-Bresler Knipe (RSA)
  •  Gert Heyns (RSA)
Riders at the start of Day 5 of the 2014 Lesotho Sky

Origins
The flag of Lesotho

The Lesotho Sky was foundered in 2011 by Christian Schmidt and Darol Howes. The idea was conceived on a mountain bike tour across the small mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho in January 2011. Starting in the village in Morija on the west to finish going down Sani pass on the east. Christian is from Germany but spent several years in Morija in Lesotho during his youth and knew that Lesotho had huge potential for mountain biking. After returning to Africa to study at the University of Cape Town he joined the UCT cycling club and organized the tour. His love for both Lesotho and his mountain bike are what drives the success of the event.[3]

The first event took place in November 2011 with just 22 people, 10 of which were from Lesotho.

The Lesotho Sky is now a top bucket list stage race and as of 2015 is a Class 1 Union Cycliste Internationale stage race.[4]

Route

The route is typically between 340 kilometres and 400 kilometres in length split over 6 days. The route starts in Lesotho’s Capital Maseru at the Lesotho Sun Hotel and Casino with a 20 kilometres prologue that was introduced during the 2013 edition of the race. The following 5 days are all in rural areas of the Maseru and Mafeteng Districts of Lesotho.[5]

History

Timeline from 2011
DateDescription
2011Christian Schmidt and Darol Howes go on a mountain bike tour of Lesotho and talk of starting something similar to the Absa Cape Epic there.
2011The first ever Lesotho Sky is launched starting in Morija and finishing at the Mohale Dam.[6]

Total Participation: 22 riders[7] Total Distance: ±430 kilometres

201240 Riders partake at the second edition of the race. A circular route is first adopted to make race logistics easier.

Total Participation: 40 Riders Total Distance: ±380 kilometres

2013The Maseru time trial was introduced as the prologue of the race.

The Lesotho Sky is a UCI Class 2 Stage race for the first time. Total Participation: 60 Riders Distance: ±380 kilometres

2014

 Phetetso Monese (LES) and  Teboho Khantsi (LES) of team Alliance Insurance become the first ever Basotho team to win a stage of the Lesotho Sky.[8] Total Participation: 78 riders Total Distance: ±340 kilometres

Men
YearTeamRider 1Rider 2
2011The MarKim VeteransKim PhillipsMarc Adam
2012MerrellTim EllerbeckCarel Bezuidenhoud
2013Scott Factory RacingMatthys BeukesPhillip Buys
2014ContegoLouis-Bresler KnipeGert Heyns

[9]

Women
YearTeamRider 1Rider 2
2012First AscentMiriam StronkhorstTheresa Horn
2013---
2014MasikhuleJanet KeetCaroline Schuermans

[10]

Mixed
YearTeamRider 1Rider 2
2011Talisman Plant & Tool HireHannele SteynColin Du Plessis
2012Glen Erskine WinesJohn DaltonHanri Dalton
2013Display ManiaLeanne Brown-WatersonEtienne Joubert
2014Thousand TrailsAlisha MyersAlvin Hirner

[11]

Official charities

In 2014 Sentebale founded in 2006 by Prince Harry of the British Royal Family and Prince Seeiso of the Lesotho Royal Family became the Lesotho Sky's official event charity.[12][13]

References
  1. "lesotho-sky-race-promotes-local-riders/". Lesotho Cycling Ascociation. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  2. "Lesotho Sky Rules". Lesotho Sky Official Site. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  3. "Lesotho makes global headlines in cycling sport" (PDF) (11 September 2014). Lesotho Times. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  4. "Lesotho Sky celebrates 5th anniversary & Class 1 UCI race status". bikehub.co.za. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  5. "2014 Route". Lesotho Sky official site. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  6. "Under African Skies" (PDF) (February 2012). Bicycling Magazine. February 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  7. "Under African Skies" (PDF) (February 2012). Bicycling Magazine. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  8. "Historic win for cycling team" (PDF) (38). Lesotho Times. 24 September 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  9. "Lesotho Sky results". Lesotho Sky Official Results. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  10. "Lesotho Sky results". Lesotho Sky Official Results. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  11. "Lesotho Sky results". Lesotho Sky Official Results. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  12. "Cycling changes lives for children in Lesotho". Sentebale Official site. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  13. "Lesotho makes global headlines in cycling sport" (PDF) (11 September 2014). Lesotho Times. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
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