Cyclist Nancy Akinyi is eager to defend her title during the second edition of the four-stage Migration Gravel Race (MGR) taking place from 18 to 21 June in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

She is among some 94 competitors who will be covering 650km across open plains, farmland and forested hills when racing kicks off on Saturday.

Akinyi who was in the Kenyan team for the 2021 regional six-nation Africa Zone VI Tour of Burundi Championship held in four different cities and towns in Burundi said she anticipates thorough competition over the four days.

“As always I am eager for competition. I gained a lot of experience last year during the inauguration competition when I emerged victorious,” said Akinyi who finished eight minutes ahead of American, Betsy Welch last year.

Akinyi will compete with American professional cyclist Lael Wilcox who won the Trans Am Bike Race in 2016  and will be making a debut in a Kenyan race.

“I have been racing for many years so across the USA so this is like a sprint competition for me. So, I am ready for action and adventure on Saturday,” she said.  

The event falls under the umbrella of the Amani Project — a Dutch-African initiative founded by bike shop owner and lawyer, Mikel Delagrange. 

 “The Amani project brings together initiatives aimed at enhancing inclusivity in cycling and creating opportunities for professional development for young East African cyclists. The project aims at closing the gap between the amateur and pro ranks for talented East African cyclists while positioning them for competitive global platforms,” said Mikel who created an international cycling team composed of Dutch cyclists and talented riders from sister teams in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. 

Mikel further said the decision to settle in Kenya is informed by the need to include local communities in the bounty of land and wildlife. The future of conservation lies in making local communities key tourism revenue which is the only way to sustainably incentivize the preservation of the stakeholders in the process.