Over 500 cyclists have confirmed participation in the third leg of the Safari Gravel Cycling series scheduled Saturday at Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha.
The race organized by LOOP Digital Financial Services (LOOP DFS) and Team Amani will serve as a UCI Gravel World Series Qualifier event.
The race will feature three categories: the 20km, 60km, 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.”
Top three finishers in each category will qualify automatically for the World Championship.
The race will also consist of the elderly category.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.
The Naivasha event follows the Tatu City and Iten legs held in February and March.
