Schleck and Mary triumph in Final Leg of the LOOP Safari Gravel Series

Jordan Schleck once again showcased exceptional endurance, to win timing 4:40:50hrs in the 120km LOOP men’s elite category, during the fourth and final leg of the 2024 LOOP Safari Gravel Series in Vipingo Ridge - Kilifi County.

Schleck was still the winner of the first leg of the series held in Tatu City.

Joel Kyaviro and Stanley Ngugi claimed second and third positions, clocking 4:57:37hrs and 5:00:55hrs respectively. 

In the women’s category, Aleper Mary who emerged third in the Hells Gate Edition made an incredible comeback with a victorious time of 6:26:16hrs, followed by Kendra Masige and Monica Jelimo, who clocked 6:42:00hrs and 6:46:12hrs respectively.

The final leg also saw the overall series team winners awarded, with Black Mamba taking the grand prize of Sh. 250,000. Kenyan Riders secured second position and won Sh. 200,000 while Ariyas Solar Vortex were third, winning Sh. 150,000.

Reflecting on his victory, Jordan Schleck conceded it was not a walk in the park.

"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 60km LOOP featured strong competition, with Rosemary Wairimu emerging the overall winner with a time of 2:03:47 hrs. Nicholas Barasa won in the men category with a time of 2:03:49 hrs.

The 20km LOOP category provided a more relaxed challenge for recreational cyclists and junior participants, with Kelvin Kazungu and Kate Crowley emerging the winner in the men and women category with a time of 1:40:09hrs and 1:42:01hrs respectively.

The Vipingo leg saw entry of new sponsors, including Visa, while Huawei continued as the prize money sponsor, awarding Sh. 20,000, Sh. 15,000 and Sh. 10,000 respectively for the top three positions in the 120km men’s and women’s elite races.

Speaking at the event in Vipingo, LOOP Digital Financial Services CEO Eric Muriuki said 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 nothing short of 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. We aim to create a platform for cycling as an enterprise to benefit cyclist and as a platform where through partnerships corporates can get value,” he said.

In line with LOOP DFS’s commitment to sustainability, participants also planted over 200 trees during the event, contributing to environmental conservation efforts in the region.

“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 is organized by AMANI Project, with LOOP DFS as the title sponsors and Huawei as the prize money sponsor.

It features three categories including 20km for amateurs, 60km LOOP for cycling enthusiasts, and 120km LOOP for professional cyclist, attracting both local and international riders.

The series stared off in Tatu City with the second leg moving to Iten before the third leg in Hells Gate, Naivasha.