MASERU, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria's Teodor Kabakchiev won the 2026 Roof of Africa hard enduro race in Lesotho on Saturday, finishing less than three minutes ahead of Germany's Manuel Lettenbichler after three days of competition.
Kabakchiev completed the Gold category, the event's most demanding class, in a combined time of 9:59:46.2, becoming the only rider to finish under 10 hours.
Lettenbichler finished second in 10:02:33.1, edging South Africa's nine-time winner Wade Young by just 0.1 seconds. Defending champion James Moore of South Africa finished fifth in 10:37:57.7.
"I am super happy. I just told myself to keep it easy and bring it home," Kabakchiev said after the race.
Held from September 24 to 26, the race was the sixth round of the eight-round 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.
First held in 1967, the Roof of Africa is billed as the world's oldest hard enduro race, known for its demanding routes through Lesotho's rugged mountains, featuring steep climbs, rocky terrain and river crossings. ■
