By KPC Sports Correspondent
Uganda’s Lawrence Lorot and Rwanda’s Claudette Nyirarukundo claimed victory in the men’s and women’s elite 100KM races respectively after dramatic photo-finish endings at the second leg of the 2026 LOOP Safari Gravel Series held at Hell’s Gate National Park.
The event attracted a record 956 cyclists from across the world, the highest participation for a single leg since the Series was launched in 2024.
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Spectators were treated to edge-of-the-seat action in the elite 100KM races, with both titles decided by the slimmest of margins.
In the men’s race, 21-year-old Lorot surged to victory in a time of 3:29:04, finishing just one second ahead of Kenya’s Stanley Ngugi, who clocked 3:29:05. Ivan Kipruto completed the podium in 3:29:22.
Reflecting on his hard-fought triumph, Lorot said the race demanded both physical endurance and tactical awareness.
“It was a brutal pace and you could feel the tension every kilometre. In the last few hundred metres I just gave everything I had. Those one-second margins are what make racing special — you can train for months and still have to trust your instincts in the sprint. I am so happy to come here and win today. I have been racing more on the road and I am just getting into gravel. I look forward to more wins on the gravel.”
The women’s 100KM race delivered similar drama as Nyirarukundo crossed the finish line in 4:16:52, edging Sarah Diekmeyer by a single second after an intense battle throughout the course. Diekmeyer finished in 4:16:53, while Theresa Rindler secured third place in 4:27:23.
Nyirarukundo, who finished second at the event last year, expressed delight at finally securing the title.
“The race was everything I hoped for and more. It was fast, tactical and unpredictable. We rode as a tight group for most of the day and it came down to pure determination at the finish. I was second last year here and I am happy to step onto the podium as the winner this time around.”
Beyond the elite contests, the event showcased strong competition across other categories.
In the men’s 60KM race, Michael Matindi claimed victory in 2:16:18, narrowly ahead of Ravan Ngugi, who finished in 2:16:19. Kelvin Kamore took third place in 2:32:44.
Jacinta Wanjiru dominated the women’s 60KM category, crossing the line in 3:01:24. Marit Luijckx finished second in 3:18:11, while Faith Kangichu completed the podium in 3:42:21.
LOOP Digital Financial Services CEO Eric Muriuki hailed the event’s growth and increasing continental stature.
“Today’s turnout of 956 riders and the calibre of competition demonstrate that LOOP Safari Gravel has matured into a marquee event on the continent, being one of only four UCI Gravel World Series Qualifiers in Africa. Our goal has always been to build an inclusive, challenging platform that elevates gravel cycling in Africa, and today we witnessed that vision in full. We thank the athletes, volunteers, partners and Hell’s Gate National Park for making this edition unforgettable.”
The Series now shifts focus to its next stop at Vipingo Ridge in August.
The LOOP Safari Gravel Series is organised by the Amani Project, an initiative dedicated to developing and supporting athletic talent across the region, with LOOP Digital Financial Services serving as the title sponsor.
