Belgium’s Lukas Mzewski delivered a commanding performance to win the elite men’s 120-kilometre race at the UCI-accredited Naivasha leg of the 2025 LOOP Safari Gravel Series, clocking an impressive time of 3:45:03.

He was closely followed by Uganda’s Charles Kagimu (3:45:04) and Germany’s Lukas Baum (3:45:05), who claimed second and third positions respectively after a thrilling sprint finish.

Speaking after his win, Mzewski said: “Coming into this race, I knew it would take careful preparation both physically and mentally. The combination of altitude, heat, and varied terrain meant I had to pace myself smartly while staying sharp on the technical sections. I spent a lot of time training on similar surfaces and simulating the climbing effort at altitude. In the final kilometres, it came down to a tight battle, but I trusted my training and was able to push through. Racing here in Kenya is always special, the atmosphere, the scenery, and the level of competition make it an unforgettable experience.”

In the women’s elite category, Canada’s Haley Smith clinched victory with a time of 4:32:10. Rwanda’s Claudette Nyirahabimana followed in 4:38:48, while Germany’s Svenja Betz secured third place in 4:44:37.

Smith reflected on her win, saying: “This course required total focus from start to finish. The climbs were long, the descents technical, and the changing surfaces made it essential to stay adaptable throughout. I spent weeks preparing for these conditions, working on sustained power efforts and technical handling. Even with that, the altitude added an extra layer of difficulty. I’m incredibly proud of how I executed my race plan and thrilled to take the win here in Kenya. This event really shows how strong and exciting gravel racing is becoming globally.”

The fiercely contested race drew some of the world’s top gravel cyclists, delivering a world-class spectacle against the stunning backdrop of Hell’s Gate National Park.

This year’s Naivasha leg holds particular significance as Kenya continues to cement its position on the global cycling map. As an officially sanctioned Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Gravel World Series Qualifier, the race attracted over 600 elite and recreational riders from across Africa, Europe, and North & South America, showcasing Kenya’s growing capacity to host world-class gravel events and providing a vital platform for both local and international athletes to compete on equal footing.

“The vision has always been to bring the world to Kenya, and today we witnessed exactly that,” said the CEO of LOOP Digital Financial Services Eric Muriuki.

“Against the spectacular backdrop of Hell’s Gate, we saw world-class athletes and emerging local talent competing side by side, embodying the true spirit of sport. As LOOP, we remain deeply committed to nurturing Kenya’s cycling community, developing new talent, and building Kenya’s global reputation as a leading destination for gravel racing and adventure.”

Beyond the elite races, the 60km and 20km events welcomed a diverse field of cyclists, further growing the sport’s inclusivity and accessibility.

In the 60km men’s category, Frankline Kibet emerged victorious with a time of 2:17:44, followed by Antonio Simoncini (2:24:16) and Edwin Githoka (2:43:50). In the women’s category, Yolanda Witeveen won with a time of 3:01:29, ahead of Kimberly Yamauchi (3:02:47) and Purity Muthoni (3:31:49).

The 20km race welcomed recreational cyclists and juniors, allowing new riders to experience the sport in one of Kenya’s most breathtaking natural environments.

The top five finishers in the elite 120km men’s and women’s categories earned cash prizes ranging from Ksh20,000 to Ksh5,000.

In the highly contested team category, Black Mamba Cycling secured top honours with Ksh125,000, while Ariya Finergy Solar Virtex and Joy Riders earned second and third place, taking home Ksh100,000 and Ksh70,000 respectively.

With the success of Naivasha, attention now shifts to the highly anticipated grand finale of the 2025 LOOP Safari Gravel Series, scheduled for August 23, 2025, in Vipingo, Kilifi County.