To conclude a successful 2018 racing season, Herbalife Nutrition bLU cRU Yamaha Racing Team riders, Piwe Zulu and Thabang Katees, recently faced the ultimate racing test.

The pair travelled to Lesotho to take on the Motul Roof of Africa from 5-8 December, where they competed in the Silver class.

Known as one of the toughest endurance races on the planet, the riders trained the entire year to qualify. They tackled the Maluti Mountains for three days on their motorbikes, facing competitors from around the world.

The race lived up to its reputation and competitors were pushed to the extreme to overcome numerous challenges, from rocky, technical sections to long stretches of mountainous terrain that tested both their navigational and riding skills.

“Coming face to face with the Maluti Mountains is always intimidating, but there is no better feeling than completing a challenge that you have training one entire year for. I am grateful for the support of my sponsors and my team,” said Piwe.

Securing a solid finish of 43^rd in his class, Piwe is already planning for next year and intends to place even better when he tackles the 2019 Roof of Africa. “I am happy with my results but the aim is always to do better,” he said.

The Round the Houses and time trial that kicks off Roof of Africa every year took up a new format in 2018 and Thabang welcomed the change. “I enjoyed the exciting ride, especially with the introduction of the new format,” he said.

Thilo Naidoo, Herbalife Nutrition Country Director for Southern Africa congratulated both riders for their achievements during the season. “It is great to see what a combination of good nutrition and training, paired with hard work, can deliver. Our riders are a great example to all aspiring athletes out there and we are proud of the way they faced every challenging race,” he concluded.

Herbalife Nutrition can be found online at www.herbalife.co.za, and on Facebook @HerbalifeSouthAfrica

As a result of the years spent as a “factory” race team that employed professional athletes at the very top of the off-road racing game, Yamaha Distributors South Africa (YDSA) identified the need for a support structure that allowed talented riders from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to have access to similar opportunities.

In 2017, YDSA created the bLU cRU Yamaha Team, a “factory-supported” team that complements the factory team and provides an aspirational stepping stone to those athletes that aspire and dream big. Being selected on merit for the bLU cRU team provides the first-tier goal for ultimately being selected for the factory team.