RIDE KTM Durban’s young South African riders grab headlines with day winning results at the 2023 Roof of Africa Hard Enduro – watch out Wade.

Hard Enduro fans tuned into the 2023 Roof of Africa might have spotted the winner of the final day I Lesotho this year was not the now eight-times winner Wade Young but a young rider, James Moore.

Topping the scratch result ahead of much more experienced rivals, at what was widely regarded as one of the toughest Roofs ever, Moore made a mark in much the same way his Sherco-riding compatriot had done almost a decade ago.

Add to that sixth in the Sea to Sky this year and it hasn’t gone unnoticed as Moore has a deal to ride for the GASGAS South Africa enduro team in 2024.

This year’s Roof saw scorching temperatures across all three days and an exceptionally long race route that set the stage for one of the most challenging editions. In the Gold class, the conditions led to a mere 12 finishers out of 38 starters, with numerous top riders forced to bow out due to the extreme conditions.

Two emerging stars, James Moore and Thomas Scales, both just 17-years-old stole some of the limelight with their top 10 finishes, plus that final day duel between Young and Moore. 

Scales was making his Gold Roof debut and Moore his second, both were weighing themselves up against riders like Young, Cody Webb, Matt Green and Brett Swanepoel. Both riders ended up within the top 10, with Scales securing ninth and Moore landing an impressive fourth place finish overall following that final day scratch win.

Cody Webb, who finished sixth on his maiden Roof, summed it up perfectly after dueling with Scales for most of Day 1: “The next level of young SA Enduro talent is incredible, I spent the whole day trying to shake them!”

RIDE KTM Durban success story

This success story isn’t a coincidence. RIDE KTM Durban, a KTM dealership in Kwa-Zulu Natal is renowned for fostering talent like Dylan Jones, Will Slater, Gareth Cole and Alastair Fayrod, all of whom have won National titles in their careers.

The team’s ethos revolves around the development and support of young riders, while fostering an inclusive and enjoyable racing environment for enthusiasts across all ages and racing disciplines. A good example of this is Dakar rider, Stuart Gregory, who has called the team his home for many years and who will be returning to Saudi Arabia in 2024 for his fifth Dakar Rally.

The RIDE KTM Durban team has a strong family ethos and has no less than four staff members who compete in local, regional and national events and who help at races supporting customers.

RIDE KTM’s two owners are Wayne O’Niel, who has attended 30 Roof of Africa’s over the years, and Steve Eayrs, an entrepreneur who lives in Ballito and who has been riding off-road for over 30 years.

According to Eayrs, “This kind of success doesn’t come easy and is influenced by several elements. If I add up the racing years that the staff and management team that RIDE KTM have under their belts, and I mean holding onto handlebars, not racing on the couch, we have more than a 100 years of racing between us.”

Speaking of Moore’s move to the official GASGASG South Africa team in 2024, Eayrs says everyone at RIDE KTM Durban wishes him all the best: “It’s been an honour to have you on our team James! We wish you every success and remember, keep doing what you do and don’t forget to keep it real!”

More on Ride KTM Durban can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/ridektmdurban

Photo Credit: @sotallrightnow