Machakos, March 8, 2025:
Jordan Schleck continued to dominate the 2025 LOOP Safari Gravel Series cycling competition, clinching another victory at the second leg held at the Machakos People’s Park on Saturday.
The race, which attracted over 350 elite and recreational cyclists from across East Africa, tested riders’ endurance and skill against the challenging terrain of Machakos’ rolling hills and lush greenery.
Schleck, a three-time champion, powered through the 120-kilometre elite men’s race to secure first place with a remarkable time of three hours, 37 minutes and nine seconds.
Ndungu Kieya followed closely in second (03:45:32), while Ivan Kipruto (03:45:56) took third place.
This victory marks Schleck’s second consecutive win, following his triumph in the series’ opening leg at Tatu City last month.
Reflecting on his performance, Schleck, who competes under the Team Amani umbrella, said: “I was consistent throughout these two opening legs of the series. The terrain at Machakos was rough, hilly, and rocky, but you have to be ready to take on these gravels. I am looking forward to continuing this trajectory as we move on to the rest of the legs of the series.”
The women’s elite category witnessed an equally fierce contest, with Julia Alice Ndungu claiming victory in 05:06:20, ahead of Ditona Martinie (05:25:11) and Margaret Ashley Mutuku (06:41:11).
“I’m really proud to have finished first in the women’s category. It was a tough race with the intense sun, but I stuck to my strategy and gave it my all to take the win,” Ndungu said.
In the 60-kilometre race, Michael Matindi clinched the top spot with a time of 02:29:33 , closely followed by Victor Ngugi and Martin Ngari, who clocked 02:30:25 and 02:31:32, respectively.
The 20-kilometre race welcomed a diverse group of recreational cyclists and junior participants, further fostering inclusivity in the event.
The top five winners in the elite 120-kilometre race, both men and women, were awarded cash prizes of Sh20,000, Sh15,000, Sh10,000, Sh7,000, and Sh5,000, respectively.
In the team category, Black Mamba emerged victorious, taking home Sh125,000, while Ariya Finergy and Factor Racing East Africa secured second and third place with prizes of Sh100,000 and Sh70,000, respectively.
Speaking at the event, LOOP Digital Financial Services CEO Eric Muriuki said: “Today, we witnessed an incredible showcase of endurance and resilience as cyclists took on the demanding trails of Machakos. With each leg of the series, we move closer to our vision of creating a competitive, inclusive cycling platform that nurtures talent and highlights Kenya’s stunning landscapes.
“The enthusiasm here today reaffirms our commitment to making cycling a cornerstone of Kenya’s sporting culture, building connections, inspiring the next generation, and fostering a movement that celebrates adventure and excellence.”
In addition to the thrilling races, LOOP DFS underscored its commitment to sustainability by facilitating the participants in planting over 100 trees at the Machakos Peoples Park, further contributing to the environmental conservation efforts.
As the series gains momentum, the next stop for the third and fourth leg will be in Naivasha on June 14, followed by the grand finale at Vipingo on August 23.
Organized by the Amani Project in collaboration with LOOP Digital Financial Services (LOOP DFS) as the title sponsor, the series aims to foster a vibrant cycling culture, nurture emerging talent, and showcase Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes to the world.
With cycling growing as a lifestyle and sport, the LOOP Safari Gravel Series offers a unique platform to connect, compete, and experience Kenya’s stunning landscapes.
This update is generally attributed to Pura Vida’s Content team. Feel free to shared any feedback or or relevant info incase of inaccuracies.
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