Jordan Schleck won his second title after coming home first during the second leg of the Loop Safaris Gravel Series held in Machakos.
The race, which attracted over 350 elite and recreational cyclists from across East Africa, tested riders’ endurance and skill against the challenging terrain of Machakos’ rolling hills and lush greenery.
Schleck, a three-time champion, powered through the 120-kilometre elite men’s race to secure first place with a remarkable time of 03:37:09. Ndungu Kieya followed closely in second with a time of 03:45:32, while Ivan Kipruto took third place at 03:45:56. This victory marks Schleck’s second consecutive win, following his triumph in the series’ opening leg at Tatu City last month.
Reflecting on his performance, Schleck, who competes under the Team Amani umbrella, said, “I was consistent throughout these two opening legs of the series. The terrain at Machakos was rough, hilly, and rocky, but you have to be ready to take on these gravels. I am looking forward to continuing this trajectory as we move on to the rest of the legs of the series.”
The women’s elite category witnessed an equally fierce contest, with Julia Alice Ndungu claiming victory in 05:06:20, ahead of Ditona Martinie, who finished in 05:25:11. Margaret Ashley Mutuku took the third position with a time of 06:41:11.
Speaking at the finish line, Ndungu said, “I’m really proud to have finished first in the women’s category. It was a tough race with the intense sun, but I stuck to my strategy and gave it my all to take the win.”
In the 60-kilometre race, Michael Matindi clinched the top spot with a time of 02:29:33 , closely followed by Victor Ngugi and Martin Ngari , who clocked 02:30:25 and 02:31:32, respectively. The 20-kilometre race welcomed a diverse group of recreational cyclists and junior participants, further fostering inclusivity in the event.
The top five winners in the elite 120-kilometre race, both men and women, were awarded cash prizes of KES 20,000, KES 15,000, KES 10,000, KES 7,000, and KES 5,000, respectively.
In the team category, black mamba emerged victorious, taking home KES 125,000, while Ariya Finergy and Factor Racing East Africa secured second and third place with prizes of KES 100,000 and KES 70,000, respectively.
Speaking at the event, LOOP Digital Financial Services CEO Eric Muriuki said: “We witnessed an incredible showcase of endurance and resilience as cyclists took on the demanding trails of Machakos. With each leg of the series, we move closer to our vision of creating a competitive, inclusive cycling platform that nurtures talent and highlights Kenya’s stunning landscapes. The enthusiasm here today reaffirms our commitment to making cycling a cornerstone of Kenya’s sporting culture, building connections, inspiring the next generation, and fostering a movement that celebrates adventure and excellence.”
After the Machakos leg,the series will now move to Niavasha on June 14th for the third round before culminating with the gran final in Vipingo in August.
