BY PHILLIP ORWA
The second leg of the 2026 LOOP Safari Gravel Series is set to take place on Saturday, 13th June, at the iconic Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha.
Belgium’s Lukas Mzweski, who won last year’s event, is expected to defend his title. Mzweski last year delivered a commanding performance to win the elite men’s 120-kilometre race, clocking an impressive time of 3:45:03.
He was closely followed by Uganda’s Charles Kagimu (3:45:04) and Germany’s Lukas Baum (3:45:05).
In the women’s elite category, Canada’s Haley Smith clinched the title with a time of 4:32:10, as Rwanda’s Claudette Nyirahabimana followed in 4:38:48, while Germany’s Svenja Betz secured third place in 4:44:37.
After an action-packed season opener at the Limuru Country Club in March, which saw a record entry of 822 competitors, registration is now open for the Naivasha leg, with over 700 cyclists expected to contest the 20KM, 60KM and 111KM routes.
The Naivasha event also doubles as a UCI Gravel World Series Qualifier – one of the four 2026 UCI Gravel World Series qualifier events in Africa, with two in South Africa and the other in Namibia.
To qualify for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships set to be held in Nannup, Western Australia, in October, riders must finish the race and place within the top 25% of their category. Additionally, the top three finishers in each official category will automatically earn direct qualification.
Winners, both male and female, over the 111km distance will take home Sh20,000, with second, third, fourth, and fifth places earning Sh15,000, Sh10,000, Sh7,000, and Sh5,000 respectively.
In the team category, the winning team will receive Sh125,000, while second and third place teams will be awarded Sh100,000 and Sh70,000 respectively.
Troy Barrie, Coordinator of The Amani Project, further highlighted the significance of UCI accreditation for this leg of the series.
“We are incredibly excited about what the 2026 season represents, particularly with the UCI accreditation for Naivasha. UCI accreditation transforms this race from a regional showpiece into an internationally recognised competition. This validates the hard work we’ve put into course quality, safety and athlete support, and it creates real pathways for African riders to earn UCI points and be seen on the global stage. That exposure not only raises the standard of racing here, but it also brings investment, development opportunities, and inspiration for the next generation of cyclists in Kenya and across the continent,” Barrie said.
Eric Muriuki, CEO of LOOP Digital Financial Services, said: “The UCI accreditation for our Naivasha edition is good for Kenya’s growing prominence in the global cycling arena. We are providing our athletes with a pathway to international recognition, while at the same time showcasing the unparalleled beauty of our country to the world. We are incredibly proud to bring an event of this calibre to Naivasha, and we invite cyclists from all corners of the globe to experience this unique blend of competition and adventure.”
The route includes a variety of surfaces, with 62% on gravel, including red clay, single track, and game trails, and will start at Sulmac Village on the southern edge of Lake Naivasha. Riders will first complete a 21 km loop that includes an initial climb and returns to the start. This is followed by a 36 km stretch of gently ascending gravel roads before descending into the final 40 km. The most demanding segment is between kilometres 60 and 90, which runs primarily on paved roads through the eastern side of Hell’s Gate National Park.
The LOOP Safari Gravel Series is organized by the Amani Project, an initiative focused on developing and supporting athletic talent across the region, with support from LOOP DFS as the title sponsor.
