Naivasha: Over 1000 cyclists, including 38 international elite riders from Africa, Europe, and the USA, are set to compete in the second leg of the 2026 LOOP Safari Gravel Series at Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha. The event, scheduled for this Saturday, June 13th, offers participants routes of 20 kilometers, 60 kilometers, and an elite 111-kilometer route.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Naivasha event also serves as a UCI Gravel World Series Qualifier, marking one of the four qualifying events for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series in Africa. The other events are located in South Africa and Namibia. The course in Naivasha is 62 percent gravel, featuring red clay, single track, and game trails, and it begins at Sulmac Village. Riders will face a 21-kilometer loop followed by a 36-kilometer ascent and a final 40-kilometer descent. The most demanding part of the course, stretching from kilometers 60 to 90, primarily runs on paved roads through Hell’s Gate National Park.
The Amani Project, an initiative devoted to developing athletic talent across the region, organizes the LOOP Safari Gravel Series, with LOOP DFS as the title sponsor. This year’s competition will see Uganda’s Charles Kagimu and Rwanda’s Claudette Nyirahabimana leading the charge in Naivasha, aiming to secure the title in the absence of last year’s winners.
The women’s elite field will be further intensified by the presence of Dinah Safari, who won the women’s elite race in Limuru, alongside Monica Jelimo, Grace Kaviro of Black Mamba, Kendra Masiga, and others. Speaking about the upcoming race, Safari expressed her confidence, stating, ‘I have been working on my endurance since Limuru and I feel fit and ready. The Naivasha race will be challenging due to its UCI accreditation, but I hope to build on my Limuru win to claim this year’s series.’
In the men’s elite field, Kagimu will be joined by Stanley Ngugi of Black Mamba and Jordan Schleck, who has made a name for himself in the circuit since its inception in 2024. To qualify for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup, Western Australia, riders must finish within the top 25 percent of their category, with the top three in each official category automatically earning direct qualification.
Winners of the 100-kilometer distance, both male and female, will receive Sh. 20,000, while second to fifth places will earn Sh 15,000, Sh 10,000, Sh 7,000, and Sh 5,000, respectively. In the team category, the winning team will take home Sh 125,000, with second and third-place teams receiving Sh 100,000 and Sh 70,000, respectively.
Troy Barrie, Coordinator of The Amani Project, emphasized the importance of UCI accreditation, noting its role in attracting investment, development opportunities, and inspiring future generations of cyclists in Africa. ‘UCI accreditation elevates this race from a regional event to an internationally recognized competition, validating our efforts in course quality and athlete support, creating pathways for African riders to earn UCI points and gain global visibility.’
Last year, Belgium’s Lukas Mzewski won the elite men’s 120-kilometer race with a time of 3:45:03, closely followed by Kagimu and Germany’s Lukas Baum. In the women’s elite category, Canada’s Haley Smith claimed victory, with Nyirahabimana and Svenja Betz rounding out the podium.
Eric Muriuki, CEO of LOOP Digital Financial Services, remarked, ‘The UCI accreditation for our Naivasha edition this weekend enhances Kenya’s growing prominence in global cycling. We are proud to bring an event of this caliber to Naivasha and look forward to a massive turnout.’
