UCI Gravel World Series – Hailey Hunter Smith goes solo after keeping company with a zebra to win Safari Gravel Race

Hailey Hunter Smith (Trek Driftless) claimed the women’s elite victory at the Safari Gravel Race with a solo sortie, while Lukas Malezsewski (Scott) triumphed in a sprint at the UCI Gravel World Series race in Kenya.

The 111km event, which wound through the Hells Gate National Park after starting in Sulmac Village on the south side of Lake Naivasha, played out in dry and dusty conditions.

Defending champion Hans Becking got away with Malezsewski, Charles Kagimu and Lukas Baum in the men’s race, with the Belgian claiming victory in a sprint ahead of Kagimu and Baum.

Malezsewski said the race was special as it was his first UCI Gravel World Series event victory. He next heads directly to the four-day Migration Gravel Race, also in Kenya.

Lukas Malezsewski in the lead during Safari Gravel (Image credit: Safari Gravel / Salt Lake Productions)

Smith took out the overall women’s win ahead of Claudette Nyirahabimana from the local Black Mamba Development Squad, though she was racing the 19-34 category not the elite so took the win in that division. Slotting in as third woman over the line but second in the women’s elite was Svenja Betz, and last year’s winner Maddy Nutt was next to complete the elite women’s podium.

Smith may have crossed the line solo, but she wasn’t out there completely alone, having had some striped company along the road.

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ResultsSwipe to scroll horizontallyMen’s top 3

Position

Rider

1

Lukas Malezsewski

2

Charles Kagimu

3

Lukas Baum

Swipe to scroll horizontallyWomen’s top 3

Position

Rider

1

Hailey Hunter Smith

2

Claudette Nyirahabimana

3

Svenja Betz