The fantastic Malealea Lodge provided us two great nights’ sleep. After an early start and goodbyes we headed out for our next 89km adventure to Roma.
We climbed up out of the valley through the Gates of Paradise Pass, then onto a fast single track. Rocky descents and climbs in and out of valleys, clambering over “babyheads” all added to the fun of the first 38km. Lolita set the pace and we cruised along. I had a couple of spills but nothing major. Apparently they were the order of the day; a few people were talking about their crashes at lunch. The legs were feeling good and we set a steady pace. The climbs weren’t as bad today and the descents were fast and fun.
From Water Point 2 (where I had a blonde moment and left both water bottles) we followed the road along a ridge with breath-taking scenery everywhere we looked.
We flew down a last 8km descent, bombing down the concrete switchbacks, waving and shouting ‘Lumelang’ at the school kids and generally loving the ride. Then we hit some dips and climbs through the fields right on to a rough rocky road and the sting in the tail in the last kilometre. A wickedly steep, short climb that made my legs and mind shut down. It was only the knowledge that we were almost there that got me up.
We were in Roma at last! What a super day. Tough, but really fun. Let’s hope the legs feel as good tomorrow because apparently it’s another doozie.
Well done again to Max and Rourke, Cherie and Vera on their wins!
Results for Day 4 – Malealea to Roma (86.8km)
Men Elite –
1st Max Knox and Rourke Croeser of Team Biogen (03.44.11)
2nd Phil Buys and Matthys Beukes of Team Scott Factory Racing (03.57.47)
3rd James Reid and Jens Schuermens of Team RECM Versluys (03.57.47)
Ladies Elite –
1st Cherie Vale and Vera Adrian of Team Novus OMX Pro Team (04.59.07)
2nd Diana Carolin and Lolita van Aardt of Team Full Sus Ladies (05.39.30)
Basotho teams –
1st Teboho Khantsi and John Ntuli from Standard Lesotho Bank (04.23.27)
2nd Phetetso Monese and Sipho Madolo from Alliance Insurance (04.27.32)
3rd Malefetsane Lesofe and Tumelo Makae from Vodacom Lesotho (04.39.43)
