FOUR DAYS THROUGH THE WILD: THE SPIRIT OF MIGRATION GRAVEL
Savannah Sovereigns: Lukas Baum and Haley Hunter Smith Dominate the Migration Gravel Race
Four days. Over 650 kilometers. Countless moments of struggle, resilience and raw emotion. The Migration Gravel Race 2025 delivered once again—pushing the boundaries of gravel racing in one of the most remote and breathtaking settings on Earth: Kenya’s Maasai Mara. In this epic test of skill and endurance, Germany’s Lukas Baum and Canada’s Haley Hunter Smith emerged as the indisputable champions, carving their names into African gravel history.
Stage 1 – Winds of War
From the very first kilometer, it was clear this edition would be fast and unforgiving. The vast savannah, lined with red dirt roads and scattered acacia trees, offered little shelter from the crosswinds that would shape the day. Lukas Baum (Speed Company Racing) read the terrain like a seasoned explorer. Teaming up with Hans Becking (Buff-Megamo), the duo worked the echelons to perfection, arriving together and sharing the day’s victory—a powerful gesture of mutual respect.
In the women’s field, Rwanda’s Xaverine Nirere (Team Amani) launched an explosive debut. Her technical skill and tenacity gave her a commanding win, leaving Germany’s Svenja Betz trailing by over 14 minutes. But just behind, Haley Hunter Smith was lurking—settling in, learning the land, and preparing her move.
Stage 2 – Into the Highlands
With over 2,000 meters of climbing and 170 kilometers of racing, the second stage through the Loita Hills broke legs and broke plans. The peloton fractured early as the ascents took their toll. Belgian Lawrence Naesen launched a bold attack in the final 30 km, taking the stage win. Baum and Becking lost precious seconds, while Uganda’s Jordan Schleck moved into podium contention.
For the women, Haley Hunter Smith showed her true strength. Capitalizing on the long climbs and high heat, she dropped Nirere with a measured but crushing effort, taking both the stage win and the overall lead—a jersey she would never relinquish.
Stage 3 – Through the Wild
Perhaps the most tactically complex day, Stage 3 was a mix of narrow singletrack, cattle crossings and unpredictable river fords. Riders waded through knee-deep water, navigated herds, and dodged thorn bushes as nature took center stage. Lukas Baum, ever calculating, made his decisive move here. Alone at the front, he took the win and solidified his GC lead.
Hunter Smith mirrored his precision. Avoiding all traps and technical mishaps, she sailed to another stage win, while Nirere struggled to hold off a surging Anna Yamauchi from the U.S.
Stage 4 – Crowning the Champions
The final stage should have been a parade, but the gravel gods had other plans. Just 30 km in, Lukas Baum punctured and saw his lead in danger. Staying calm, he repaired swiftly, rejoined the leaders, and controlled the rest of the race. Naesen took another stage win, but the overall crown belonged to Baum—gritty, consistent, unshakable.
Haley Hunter Smith closed her campaign with yet another victory, rounding out a dominant performance: three stage wins, tactical perfection, and a unique setup. Her full-suspension MTB, fitted with a gravel handlebar—a so-called “gravelized Supercaliber”—proved perfect for the rugged Maasai terrain.
A Land Like No Other
Migration isn’t just a race—it’s a journey through untamed wilderness. Riders pass zebras and giraffes, sleep under starlit skies, and face terrain that tests body and mind. The Maasai Mara is not a backdrop; it’s a protagonist. Racing here is about more than watts and strategy—it’s about connection, humility, and respect for the land and the people.
Lukas Baum and Haley Hunter Smith are now part of its story.
General Classification – Final Results
Women’s GC:
- Haley Hunter Smith (CAN) – 17:57:54
- Xaverine Nirere (RWA) – +12:48
- Anna Yamauchi (USA) – +1:17:53
Men’s GC:
- Lukas Baum (GER) – 14:57:12
- Hans Becking (MOZ) – +7:28
- Jordan Schleck (UGA) – +10:04
Next stop: Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder. A new landscape. A new chapter in the Gravel Earth Series. Stay tuned.
