Schleck and Aleper triumph in the final leg of the LOOP Safari Gravel Series at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 25.08.24. | 10:28
The series started in Tatu City, with the 2nd leg moving to Iten, and the 3rd leg to Hell's Gate in Naivasha.
Jordan Schleck, who won the first leg of the LOOP Safari Gravel Series held in Tatu City, once again showcased exceptional endurance, securing first place with a time of 4:40:50 in the 120KM LOOP men’s elite category during the 4th and final leg of the 2024 LOOP Safari Gravel Series held at Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi County.
Joel Kyaviro and Stanley Ngugi claimed second and third positions, clocking 4:57:37 and 5:00:55, respectively. In the women’s category, Aleper Mary, who finished third in the Hell's Gate Edition, made an incredible comeback with a victorious time of 6:26:16, followed by Kendra Masige and Monica Jelimo at 6:42:00 and 6:46:12, respectively.
The final leg also saw the overall series team winners awarded, with Black Mamba taking the grand prize of KES 250,000. Kenyan Riders secured second place and won KES 200,000, while Ariyas Solar Vortex finished third, winning KES 150,000.
Reflecting on his victory,Schleck said, "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 as the overall winner with a time of 2:03:47. Nicholas Barasa won in the men’s category with a time of 2:03:49.
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The 20KM LOOP category provided a more relaxed challenge for recreational cyclists and junior participants, with Kelvin Kazungu and Kate Crowley emerging as the winners in the men’s and women’s categories, with times of 1:40:09 and 1:42:01, respectively.
The Vipingo leg saw the entry of new sponsors, including Visa, while Huawei continued as the prize money sponsor, awarding KES 20,000, KES 15,000, and KES 10,000 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 was 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 cyclists and as a platform where, through partnerships, corporates can get value.”
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.
“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 is organized by the AMANI Project, with LOOP DFS as the title sponsor and Huawei as the prize money sponsor. It features three categories: 20KM for amateurs, 60KM for cycling enthusiasts, and 120KM for professional cyclists, attracting both local and international riders. The series started in Tatu City, with the 2nd leg moving to Iten, and the 3rd leg to Hell's Gate in Naivasha.
