The 2026 LOOP Safari Gravel Series will head to Kenya’s coastline later this month, with the third leg of the championship set for August 29 at Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi County.
After successful opening rounds in Limuru and Naivasha, the series shifts to one of Kenya’s most scenic cycling destinations, where more than 500 riders are expected to compete across the 30km, 55km and 105km race categories.
Registration for the event is now open. The competition is expected to attract elite cyclists from across East Africa and beyond, alongside amateur and recreational riders, as organisers continue their mission of growing gravel cycling in Kenya through world-class racing experiences.
Teams will compete for a prize purse of Sh295,000, with the winners taking home Sh125,000. The second and third-placed teams will receive Sh100,000 and Sh70,000 respectively. Individual honours will also be up for grabs, with the top five finishers in the elite men’s and women’s race earning Sh20,000, Sh15,000, Sh10,000, Sh7,000 and Sh5,000 respectively.
Uganda’s Jordan Schleck will be among the riders to watch as he seeks a third consecutive victory at the Vipingo course, having won the 2024 and 2025 editions. However, the defending champion heads to the coast looking to rediscover his winning form after failing to claim victory in the opening two rounds of this year’s series.
The Amani Project Coordinator, Troy Barrie, said the Vipingo leg reflects the organisers’ commitment to showcasing Kenya’s diverse cycling terrain while expanding opportunities for riders across the region.
“Each stop on the LOOP Safari Gravel Series offers riders a completely different experience, and Vipingo is no exception,” Barrie said.
“From the coastal climate to the unique terrain, this race presents a fresh challenge while bringing together cyclists from across Kenya and beyond.”
He added that the series is about more than just competition. “Beyond competition, the series is about building a vibrant cycling community and demonstrating that Kenya has some of the most spectacular gravel riding destinations anywhere in the world,” he said.
The third round follows an exciting second leg held in Naivasha, where Rwanda’s Claudette Nyirarukundo and Uganda’s Lawrence Lorot emerged victorious after dramatic photo-finish victories in their respective races.
Nyirarukundo claimed the women’s 100km title in 4:16:52, edging Sarah Diekmeyer by just one second, while Theresa Rindler completed the podium in 4:27:23.
In the men’s race, 21-year-old Lorot crossed the finish line in 3:29:04, one second ahead of Kenya’s Stanley Ngugi, with Ivan Kipruto taking third place after clocking 3:29:22.
The LOOP Safari Gravel Series is organised by The Amani Project and sponsored by LOOP Digital Financial Services in partnership with Vipingo Ridge and the Kenya Cycling Federation.
