King Letsie III to Officiate at Tour de Lesotho Cycle Race

The annual 86 kilometre Tour de Lesotho cycle race kicks off from the Lesotho Sun in Maseru early on Saturday, April 10, the organising committee has announced. It said King Letsie III is expected to start it off at 7h00.

In a press statement on April 6, the organisers said at least 47 Basotho riders were expected to take part in this international event that "offers a real test of character" as cyclists cross four high altitude passes at Ha Ralejoe, Lekhalo la Baroa (Bushmen's pass), Molimo Nthuse (God Help Me Pass) and Thaba-Putsoa (Blue Mountain) Pass, followed by steep decline to the finish at Mohale village near the heart of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

There will also be a shorter route to cater for the less adventurous, with riders covering 58 kilometres and taking in Ha Ralejoe and Bushmen's Pass with the finish just before the Molimo Nthuse Pass. The events will be followed by the Maseru International Time Trial on April 11, where each rider is tested against the clock. Riders start at two minutes intervals and go over a 32 kilometre distance. 

"With a turn-up of over four hundred visitors for the weekend, the Tour de Lesotho is set to be a money spinner for the tourism industry in the country, with the accommodation, food and curio business making it good," according to the organisers. 

Since its inception four years ago, the Tour de Lesotho has grown dramatically. While the maiden event pulled 54 entrants, the 2003 race brought in well over 200 riders and the organisers are expecting no less than double that number this year. The numbers of local riders has also increased from the six in the maiden race to the expected 47 this year. 
07 April 2004