Jordan Schleck, who previously clinched victory in the opening leg of the LOOP Safari Gravel Series at Tatu City, once again demonstrated his exceptional endurance and skill. Schleck secured the top spot in the men’s elite category during the final 120KM LOOP race at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County, finishing with a time of 4:40:50 hours. This win cements his status as a leading figure in Kenya’s competitive cycling scene.
The race also saw strong performances from Joel Kyaviro and Stanley Ngugi, who finished second and third with times of 4:57:37 and 5:00:55 hours, respectively. In the women’s elite category, Aleper Mary made a remarkable comeback after placing third in the Hells Gate leg, crossing the finish line first at 6:26:16 hours. She was closely followed by Kendra Masige and Monica Jelimo, who clocked in at 6:42:00 and 6:46:12 hours, respectively.
The conclusion of the series also highlighted the success of team competitions, with Black Mamba taking home the overall team prize of KES 250,000. Kenyan Riders claimed second place, earning KES 200,000, while Ariyas Solar Vortex finished third, securing KES 150,000.
Reflecting on his victory, Schleck expressed, “Winning the final leg of the LOOP Safari Gravel Series wasn’t easy, but I was prepared for the challenge. The course at Vipingo Ridge was tough, but I knew what to expect and pushed myself to the limit. The support from fellow riders and the incredible atmosphere made it all worthwhile.”
The event also featured a 60KM LOOP race, where Rosemary Wairimu emerged victorious in the women’s category with a time of 2:03:47 hours. Nicholas Barasa triumphed in the men’s category, finishing just two seconds behind Wairimu at 2:03:49 hours. Meanwhile, the 20KM LOOP provided a less intense challenge for recreational cyclists, with Kelvin Kazungu and Kate Crowley winning the men’s and women’s categories with times of 1:40:09 and 1:42:01 hours, respectively.
This year’s Vipingo leg saw the addition of new sponsors, including Visa, while Huawei continued its support as the prize money sponsor, awarding cash prizes to the top finishers in both the men’s and women’s 120KM elite races.
LOOP Digital Financial Services CEO Eric Muriuki praised the event’s success, stating, “The final leg of the LOOP Safari Gravel Series in Vipingo was a true celebration of athleticism and perseverance. The journey from the first leg to this grand finale has been remarkable. We’ve seen the sport grow, with more participants and higher levels of competition at each stage. Our commitment to nurturing this sport is stronger than ever, and we are already looking forward to next year’s series, where we plan to build on this year’s success with new challenges and expanded partnerships.”
In keeping with LOOP DFS’s focus on sustainability, participants also planted over 200 trees during the event, contributing to ongoing environmental conservation efforts in the region. “Our focus on sustainability is core to our mission. We are committed to supporting initiatives like tree planting as part of our effort to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and ensure a greener future for the next generation,” added Mr. Muriuki.
The LOOP Safari Gravel Series, organized by the AMANI Project, and sponsored by LOOP DFS and Huawei, has grown into a prominent event on Kenya’s sporting calendar. It features three categories—20KM for amateurs, 60KM for cycling enthusiasts, and 120KM for professional cyclists—attracting both local and international participants. The series kicked off at Tatu City, followed by legs in Iten and Hells Gate in Naivasha, before culminating in the grand finale at Vipingo Ridge.
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