By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The third leg of the 2024 LOOP Safari Gravel Series is set to take place at Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha on June 15, 2024. Organized by LOOP Digital Financial Services (LOOP DFS) and Team Amani will serve as a UCI Gravel World Series Qualifier event and has attracted a field of 500 cyclists.
The Naivasha edition will feature three categories: the 20km LOOP, 60km LOOP, and 120km over the 123km course that takes riders through the picturesque landscapes of Hell’s Gate National Park, including the famous “Pride Rock.” The surface is predominantly gravel, with varying surfaces such as red clay, single track, and game trails. The course is challenging due to its altitude and elevation profile, with a total elevation gain of 2680 meters.
The event will start at Elsa’s Gate and feature a mix of gravel and paved sections. The main difficulty lies between kilometers 50-80, where riders will face a steep climb to the highest point surrounding the Oserian Wildlife Sanctuary before returning to the finish at the Naivasha Simba Lodge.
Speaking ahead of the event, LOOP DFS CEO Eric Muriuki said: “We are delighted to bring the third leg of the LOOP Safari Gravel Series to the breathtaking Hell’s Gate National Park. This event not only showcases the incredible talent of East African cyclists but also highlights the natural beauty of our country. We look forward to welcoming riders and spectators from around the region for a day of competitive racing and fun.”
For qualification purposes for the World Championships, riders finishing in the top 25% of their category will be qualified. Additionally, the first three riders in each official category will qualify directly for the World Championships, regardless of the number of starters in that age group. Riders must finish the race to gain qualification.
To adhere to UCI rules, the event will feature two distances for older age groups. Elites, men 19-59 years old, and women 19-49 years old will compete in the long distance to qualify, while men 60+ and women 50+ will compete in the short distance to qualify.
Apart from the cycling action, the event will also feature various engaging activities for the whole family to enjoy. The public is encouraged to attend and follow the action at the LOOP village.
The Naivasha event follows the successful completion of the Tatu City and Iten legs held in February and March this year, respectively.
