By KPC Sports Reporter
Dinnah Safari of Airpocket and Kenneth Karaya of Black Mamba Development Squad are confident of securing more victories in this year’s LOOP Safari Gravel Series after a triumphant start over the past weekend.
The duo claimed top honours in the elite 100km women’s and men’s races respectively as the 2026 LOOP Safari Gravel Series kicked off at the iconic Limuru Country Club on Saturday.
The event marked a powerful start to Season Three of East Africa’s premier gravel cycling series, attracting a record 822 elite and recreational cyclists from across the region.
In the women’s race, Safari powered to victory after a strong tactical ride, clocking 04:08:04.
She was followed by Kendra Masiga (04:09:23) of Team Loop Squad in second place, while Team Ariya Finergy Solar Vortex captain Monica Jelimo (04:12:52) finished third to complete the podium.
“I am so happy that I won the first leg of the 2026 series,” said Safari.
“It was part of our team’s plan and I’m glad it worked. The race started a bit tough, but I managed to break away from the pack. I’m hoping for more wins in the upcoming events and I’m confident they will come.”
Reigning Kenya National Men’s Gravel Champion Karaya delivered a commanding performance to claim the men’s title in 03:06:50.
He was closely followed by teammate Stanley Ngugi (03:10:32), while Uganda’s Jordan Schleck finished third in 03:13:35.
“This win is a big motivation for me to train harder and perform well in the remaining races this year,” Karaya said.
“The race started slowly and the course was quite muddy, but we eventually picked up the pace. My plan was to push hard and it worked out.”
In the men’s 50km category, Ishmael Imani clinched first place in 02:05:31, followed closely by Ian Wanyeki (02:05:50) and Kelvin Kamore (02:06:18).
Joanne Carroll won the women’s race in 02:28:17, with Jill Magrath (02:31:43) and Nira Mwangi (02:33:09) finishing second and third respectively.
The 20km and 5km races attracted an inspiring turnout of recreational riders and junior cyclists, underscoring the series’ commitment to inclusivity and grassroots development.
The top five finishers in the elite 100km races for both men and women received cash prizes of KES 20,000, KES 15,000, KES 10,000, KES 7,000, and KES 5,000 respectively.
The 2026 calendar now moves to Naivasha on June 13 for the UCI-accredited second leg, followed by the Coast edition in Vipingo on August 28.
The season will culminate on October 24 with the highly anticipated Riders’ Choice edition, where cyclists vote to determine the final destination.
Organised by Amani Project in collaboration with LOOP Digital Financial Services as the title sponsor, the LOOP Safari Gravel Series continues to promote a vibrant cycling culture, nurture emerging talent, and showcase Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes to the world.