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GC Leaders Dominate Queen Stage in Tough Conditions

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on GC Leaders Dominate Queen Stage in Tough Conditions

Both the overall leaders in the men’s and women’s elite categories showed why they are the strongest teams at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic during the Queen stage from Greyton to Stellenbosch on Friday. In the men’s race, Italians Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) won their first stage of the week to extend their overall lead, while the overall leaders in the women’s race, Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi), secured their fourth stage win of the week.

The overall leaders in both the men’s and women’s races of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic proved why they are at the top of the results page after a wet and muddy Stage 5 ‘Queen Stage’ from Greyton to Stellenbosch on Friday.

In the men’s race Italians Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) finally got their first stage win despite having led the race overall for the last three days. The two finished the brutally hard 134km, with 2750m of climbing, in 5 hours 9 minutes and 51 seconds, with David Valero and Marc Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea) eight seconds back. The all-South African pairing of Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) hung on for third to retain their second place in the overall classification.

In the shorter elite women’s race – over 90km with 2150m of climbing –  South African champion Candice Lill and World Short Course Champion, Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi), were unstoppable as they finished just over nine minutes ahead of Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) and now lead the overall classification by 14 minutes, 18 seconds.

Men’s Race

Trailing the leaders by just 1 minute and 28 seconds, Beers and Nortje were aggressive early on as a crosswind on the open gravel roads played into the powerful Beers’ strengths. At 14km, the two South Africans put in a strong attack in an attempt to break up the lead group. The attack was brought under control and it was eventually the 7C-Pedregal team of Luis Meija and Keyron Fonseca who managed to get a gap up the road just before halfway. On stage 1, Meija and Fonseca suffered major mechanical problems, including broken wheels, which forced them to ride two-up on one bike at times just to get to the finish.

But their time in the limelight was eventually snuffed out just after the Houw Hoek water point as the leading riders started upping the pace towards the big climbs of the day. As they have done all week, the two Italians rarely took the lead, simply following the attacks and minimising their energy expenditure. The race also included a compulsory portage section down the Gantouw Pass at 90km, which further split up the leading group.

By the time the race had summited the long Lourensford climb and reached the Eden trails of Stellenbosch, three teams remained with former Olympic bronze medallist Valero setting a furious pace. But the Italians were eager to get a stage win, and as the group entered the final section of singletrack 3km from the finish, Avondetto darted ahead. It looked to be the race-winning move, but moments later, he crashed off the trail. Quickly remounting, the Italian finally rejoined his partner up front, and the two recovered to open up enough of a gap over the pursuers to have time to celebrate before the finish.

“We really wanted a win and it’s nice to get it on the Queen stage,” said the 25-year-old Avondetto, a former World Under 23 champion. “Today was quite challenging in the first 40 to 50km. We are now looking forward to the final two days.”

Beers and Nortje, despite their best efforts, were unable to break the Italians but were happy to have hung on to second place overall.

“We saw there was a crosswind and we threw in a haymaker,” said Beers. “I think it caught a few teams off guard and there was a lot of panic. But we were hoping to burn a few more teams. By the time we got down the Gantouw Pass, our legs were dying and we had to go full cockroach mode all the way home.”

After their second place, the Klimatiza Orbea team moved up to third overall, 5:59 behind the leaders.

Women’s Race

If there was any doubt that Lill and Keller were the class act of this year’s Absa Cape Epic, they certainly proved it on Friday.

After just 10km Seiwald was forced to stop when a stick got caught in her rear mechanism, and it was the signal for the Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi team to fly the coop. By halfway, they had already opened up an almost nine-minute gap as Seiwald struggled to keep pace with her World Marathon champion partner and the Chemchamp Honeycomb team of  Hayley Preen and Haley Smith (Chemchamp Honeycomb) closed in.

Lill and Keller maintained their pace in the difficult conditions, eventually crossing the finish line in Coetzenburg in 4:29.08.

“It was a tough stage but we didn’t want to get involved in racing the She Sends Foundation team the whole way,” said Lill. “My favourite way of racing is to race from the front, where we can set our own pace and rhythm.”

Meanwhile Seiwald admitted that she had struggled.

“Kate was my hero today. She literally pushed me up every hill,” the Italian said. “I just didn’t have the legs today.”

On Saturday, the penultimate stage is a relatively short 76km but with 2460m of climbing while the women’s elite race will be raced over 62km with 1850m of climbing.

Early Bird Entries

On Friday, organisers also announced that early bird entries for the 2027 Absa Cape Epic will open on Monday at 4pm for Full Access members and 5pm for general entries. Check out www-cape-epic.com for all the details.

 

RESULTS

 

Elite Men Stage

1. WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (5:09.51)

2. KLIMATIZA ORBEA David Valero & Marc Stutzmann (5:09.59 | +8)

3. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matt BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (5:10.03 | +12)

4. CANYON Luca SCHWARZBAUER & Sam GAZE (5:11.01 | +1:09)

5 TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO 2 Marco Joubert & Travis STEDMAN (5:12.56 | +3:04)

 

Elite Men GC

1.  WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (21:18.51)

2. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (21:20.40 | +1:49)

3. KLIMATIZA ORBEA: David VALERO SERRANO & Marc STUTZMANN (21:24.50 | +5:59)

4. CANYON:Luca SCHWARZBAUER & Sam GAZE (21:25.10 | +6:19)

5. BUFF-BH Wout ALLEMAN & Martin STOSEK (21:34.25 | +15:34)

 

Elite Women Stage

1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (4:29.08)

2. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (4:38.37 | +9)

3. CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB Hayley PREEN & Hayley SMITH (4:40.40 | +11:32)

4. MASSI ISB SPORT Monica CALEDERON & Tessa KORTEKAAS (4:43.32 | +14:24)

5 TORPADO FSA KENDA Katazina SOSNA-PINELE & Giorgia MARCHET (4:44.43 | +15.34)

 

Elite Women GC

1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (18:48.02)

2. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (19:02.21 | +14:18)

3.  CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB: Hayley PREEN & Haley SMITH (19:31.27 | +43:24)

4 TORPADO FSA KENDA Katazina SOSNA-PINELE & Giorgia MARCHET (19:39.07 | +51:04)

5 SYMBTECH.NET Margot MOSCHETTI Claudia PERETTI  (19:53.03 | 1:05.00)

 

SPECIAL JERSEYS GC

Toyota Mixed

1. TEAM 69: Jenny RISSVEDS & Simon ANDREASSEN (25:01.41)

Absa African Men

1. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (21:20.40)

Absa African Women

1. SANI2C EFFICIENT INFINITI: Samantha SANDERS & Bianca HAW (19:59.45)

Open Women:

1. JOY RIDE: Jennifer BURTNER & Callah ROBINSON (35:01.36)

Open Men:

1. COLIBRI CYCLING: Eimantas GUDISKIS & Vladas JURKEVICIUS (24:10.11)

Great Grand Masters Men

1. OTB: Pieter MULLER & Corrie MULLER (31:21.41)

GIC Grand Masters Women

1. UAG EPIC: Martha KOEKEMOER & Jenny RÖNNGREN (32:15.17)

GIC Grand Masters Men

1. ORBEA FOX FACTORY: Ibon ZUGASTI & Ernesto MENDOZA (24:49.43)

NTT Data Masters Women

1. IGLU THERAPY CHEMCHAMP RACING Juanita Rose MACKENZIE Rouxda GROBLER (31.19.04)

NTT Data Masters Men

1. CZECHROCKETS&SWISSDIESEL Pavel GONDA Tobias Luthi (23:40.55)

Exxaro Women’s Jersey

1. EXXARO MANGANESE LADIES 1: Tsholofelo NKOSI & Bontle PHEPISO (40:01.06)

Exxaro Men’s Jersey

1. FAIRTREE DP WORLD CANNONDALE 2: Ethan MICHAELS & Damon TERBLANCHE (25:25.20)

To follow the Absa Cape Epic action live, mountain biking fans are encouraged to tune into the Absa Cape Epic’s live broadcast on the Epic SeriesYouTube Channel here. Daily highlights from the race can also be viewed on the YouTube Channel, and the excitement from the trails of Western Cape will be shared on the Absa Cape Epic Facebook page and @capeepic on Instagram. To find out more, visit https://www.epic-series.com/races/capeepic . 

Courtney and Seiwald finally get their win

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Courtney and Seiwald finally get their win

On a day marred by two race-defining crashes, World Marathon champion Kate Courtney and partner Greta Seiwald finally won their first stage of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic in Greyton on Thursday, while New Zealand’s Sam Gaze and German Luca Schwarzbauer won their second stage in the men’s race.

Courtney and Seiwald (She Sends Foundation), who have finished second in every stage until today, had to rely on some controversial tactics to finally beat overall leaders Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi) who had won the first four days.

She Sends Foundation finished in 2 hours 56 minutes 37 seconds with Lill and Keller just two seconds behind. Behind them, there was drama in the fight for third place when Dutchwoman Rosa van Doorn crashed on the descent after the final UFO climb, gashing her knee open and losing a tooth. She was unable to continue and partner Vera Looser completed the stage alone.

The two were in a battle for third with Hayley Preen and Haley Smith (Chemchamp Honeycomb) who eventually finished the stage third and cemented their third place overall.

The men’s race also had its fair share of drama when Wout Alleman (Buff-BH) team crashed heavily on the treacherous Middelplaas descent, holding up South African Tristan Nortje, who lies second overall with partner Matt Beers (Toyota Specialized Imbuko). Nortje had to chase back to his partner as the all-South African team fell behind the leading two teams of Gaze and Schwarzbauer and overall leaders Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) to finish third.

The Canyon team’s win moves them up to third overall, 5 minutes 10 seconds behind Braidot and Avondetto, who held on to the overall leader’s jersey for the second day in a row. However, with the toughest stages of this year’s race still to come there is plenty still to play for.

 

Women’s Race

The shorter women’s elite race, over 61km with 1450m of climbing, started slower than the breakneck pace of the first three days as tired legs struggled to get going. But by halfway the top two teams overall we slowly starting to show their class as the big climb up UFO at 40km came into view. There was little to separate them as they crested the final hill and started the dusty and slippery descent down the Middelplaas trail.

Just behind, Van Doorn and Looser had started to create a gap over Preen and Smith, but halfway down the trail Van Doorn’s front wheel slid out and she landed heavily on her face and knee. The resulting injuries were enough to force her withdrawal.

Ahead of the drama Courtney and Seiwald were trying everything to try and finally win a stage. On the tight singletrack, Seiwald accelerated away while Courtney held up the orange jersey wearers behind. By the time the race was nearing the finish line, Seiwald had a small advantage and Courtney was able to sprint to second place and secure the victory.

“We had been discussing tactics and various scenarios, and it worked out perfectly,” said Seiwald. “I still can’t believe we won and we will definitely celebrate with some cake today.”

The two also revealed they would donate their prize money to two local charities through Courtney’s She Sends Foundation.

Overall leaders Lill and Keller were clearly disappointed at not being able to keep their winning streak intact.

“Today they really played it well into the finish,” said Lill. “Kate was really strong because we sat on her wheel for most of the last 10km and she was still able to get the better of us at the finish.

“Yes, there was some blocking, fighting for position and putting feet down at times, but I guess that’s racing.”

 

Men’s Race

As expected, the men’s race broke apart up the final brutal UFO climb 65km into the 87km stage that included 1750m of climbing.

Buff-BH’s Wout Alleman set a furious pace as the lead group shattered up the rocky, loose ascent. By the top, all but the top three teams in the overall we left in the dry dust, and the stage was set for a thrilling finish along the undulations of the Middelplaas trail.

But it was not to be. Alleman lost control in one of the tight corners as the group descended, going over the handlebars in a dramatic crash. In the mayhem, Wilier-Vittoria and Canyon had got clear while Nortje was stuck behind the recovering Alleman.

Nortje’s partner, Beers, waited for his younger partner as the gap between them and the lead two teams grew to 30 seconds. Despite a monumental effort by Beers, the two still gave up 23 seconds by the finish line.

Up ahead the Wilier-Vittoria team were up against the formidable power of two XC and short track specialists: Gaze is a former World XC champion and Schwarzbauer has made his name in the short track World Cup series.

As the four leaders approached the finish line, Gaze was imperious and even Schwarzbauer was showing signs of not being able to keep up with the pace.  Clearly suffering the German dug deep and then used to his legendary power to cross the finish line with Gaze just behind.

“It was a really hard final with that climb,” said Gaze, “We tried to measure our effort and just stay in touch with the leaders. But that last descent was very loose and then the BH guys were on the floor. That opened things up. It was just full gas from then on.”

Braidot and Avondetto extended their lead at the top to 1:37. Last year the pair finished second overall in their first Absa Cape Epic.

“We tried to win the stage but Sam and Luca are such good sprinters so for us it was hard,” said Avondetto. “Our main objective is to keep the jersey but there are still three hard stages to come and we want to just preserve our energy.”

RESULTS

Elite Men Stage

CANYON Luca SCHWARZBAUER & Sam GAZE (3:29.31)
2.  WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (3:29.32 | +1)
3. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matt BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (3:29.55| +23)
4. SINGER KTM RACING 2 Simon STIEBJAHN & Martin FREY (3:31.38 | +2:06)
5​. DOUBLE DUTCH Hans BECKING & Teus RUIJTER (3:31.42 | 2:11)

Elite Men GC
WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (16:08.59)

  1. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (16:10.37 | +1:37)​
  2. CANYON:Luca SCHWARZBAUER & Sam GAZE (16:14.09 | +5:10)
  3. KLIMATIZA ORBEA: David VALERO SERRANO & Marc STUTZMANN (16:14.51 | +5:51)
  4. BUFF-BH Wout ALLEMAN & Martin STOSEK (16:16.04 | +7:05)

Elite Women Stage

  1. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (2:56.37)
  2. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (2:56.40 | +2)
  3. CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB Hayley PREEN & Hayley SMITH (2:58.21 | +1:43)
  4. TORPADO FSA KENDA Katazina SOSNA-PINELE & Giorgia MARCHET (3:00.36 | +3:59)
  5. SYMBTECH.NET Margot MOSCHETTI Claudia PERETTI  (3:00.59 | 4:22)

 

Elite Women GC

  1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (14:18.54)
  2. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (14:23.44 | +4:50)
  3. CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB: Hayley PREEN & Haley SMITH (14:50.46 | +31:52)

4 TORPADO FSA KENDA Katazina SOSNA-PINELE & Giorgia MARCHET (14:54.23 | +35:29)
5 SYMBTECH.NET Margot MOSCHETTI Claudia PERETTI  (15:01.49 | 42:55)

 

SPECIAL JERSEYS GC

Toyota Mixed

  1. TEAM 69: Jenny RISSVEDS & Simon ANDREASSEN (18:47.16)

Absa African Men

  1. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (16:10.37)

Absa African Women

  1. SANI2C EFFICIENT INFINITI: Samantha SANDERS & Bianca HAW (15:10.13)

Open Women:

  1. JOY RIDE: Jennifer BURTNER & Callah ROBINSON (26:31.50)

Open Men:

  1. COLIBRI CYCLING: Eimantas GUDISKIS & Vladas JURKEVICIUS (18:11.08)​

Great Grand Masters Men

  1. OTB: Pieter MULLER & Corrie MULLER​ (23:17.06)

GIC Grand Masters Women

  1. UAG EPIC: Martha KOEKEMOER & Jenny RÖNNGREN (24:25.27)

GIC Grand Masters Men

  1. ORBEA FOX FACTORY: Ibon ZUGASTI & Ernesto MENDOZA (18:43.12)

NTT Data Masters Women

  1. IGLU THERAPY CHEMCHAMP RACING Juanita Rose MACKENZIE Rouxda GROBLER (23:31.13)

NTT Data Masters Men

  1. CZECHROCKETS&SWISSDIESEL Pavel GONDA Tobias Luthi (17:55.34)

Exxaro Women’s Jersey

  1. EXXARO MANGANESE LADIES 1: Tsholofelo NKOSI & Bontle PHEPISO (29:55.33)

Exxaro Men’s Jersey

  1. FAIRTREE DP WORLD CANNONDALE 2: Ethan MICHAELS & Damon TERBLANCHE (19:24.08)

 

To follow the Absa Cape Epic action live, mountain biking fans are encouraged to tune into the Absa Cape Epic’s live broadcast on the Epic SeriesYouTube Channel here. Daily highlights from the race can also be viewed on the YouTube Channel, and the excitement from the trails of Western Cape will be shared on the Absa Cape Epic Facebook page and @capeepic on Instagram. To find out more, visit https://www.epic-series.com/races/capeepic . 

 

Run Crew Friday: Sunday Run Club Edition

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Run Crew Friday: Sunday Run Club Edition

Run Crew Friday Feature: A Crew Built for More Than Just Kilometres

Some run crews start with a pace group. This one started with a life reset.

After a long-term relationship ended, the founder, Sheldon Vorster, found himself needing something new, something that felt challenging, social, and energising again. Weightlifting alone was starting to feel repetitive, so he signed up for a race, hoping the running community would naturally become a place to meet people and connect.

But it did not.

He quickly realised that showing up as “the new person” can be awkward, and that not everyone is open to engaging. Instead of letting that put him off, he did what most people do not. He built the kind of space he was looking for.

A run crew that is fun, welcoming, and easy to join. A place where people can do something hard together, and come out better on the other side.

The Bigger Idea: Make It Social. Make It Simple.

From the beginning, the mission was clear: create a crew that feels inviting. No pressure. No cliques. No “you must already know someone” energy. And while running is the heartbeat of it all, this crew is about more than just getting the kilometres done.

“FYI, we do not just run. We create experiences.”

Think professional HYROX events, premium Pilates sessions, charity support, and soon, even outdoor movie nights. It is a lifestyle crew, built around movement, connection, and community.

Behind the Scenes: Partnerships and Planning

If you have ever been to one of their events, you will know it is not thrown together last minute. Their main hub is Lucky Bread Company in Hazelwood, though they host at various locations depending on the event. This year alone, they have pulled off some seriously standout moments:

  • An exclusive Mat Pilates experience inside a Mercedes Benz AMG dealership.
  • An Adidas demo run.
  • A HYROX event in collaboration with Red Bull and Adidas.

Why Social Run Crews Are Winning Right Now

So why are young adults choosing social run crews over traditional clubs? While being free helps, the real reason is culture. This crew has built something inviting and easy to buy into. As Sheldon puts it, culture cannot be bought; it has to be created. People connect with character first, and running becomes the bonus.

Training Advice Backed by Experience

Sheldon is not someone guessing their way through fitness trends. He has been an elite trainer for 12 years, with multiple qualifications and serious industry experience, including roles at Virgin Active and running a gym as a General Manager at Planet Fitness. He uses this expertise to build something bigger than himself, often helping others start their own clubs and embracing failure as a teacher.

How to Join the Movement

Ready to lace up? The crew makes it incredibly easy to get involved. Whether you are a seasoned marathoner or just starting your “life reset,” there is a place for you.

  • When We Meet: Twice a week, every Wednesday and Sunday.
  • Where We Meet: Always at Lucky Bread Company, Hazelwood.
  • Stay Updated: Run times are posted regularly on social media.

Connect with the Community:

The best way to stay in the loop is via Instagram. Follow @sundayrunclubpta for the latest updates. You can also find a link in their bio that serves as a one-stop shop for everything you need from upcoming event details to joining their WhatsApp community.

At its core, this run crew is proof that running can be more than training. It can be a fresh start, a new community, and a place where people show up as strangers and leave feeling like they belong.

The Roving Cow Puts the ASICS Gel-Nimbus Platinum to the Test

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on The Roving Cow Puts the ASICS Gel-Nimbus Platinum to the Test

ASICS Gel-Nimbus Platinum
Road tested by Modern Athlete’s Roving Cow – Richard Laskey

There’s something lekker about pulling on a proper cushioned daily trainer. Not your flashy race-day rocket, not something that makes you feel like you need to chase Strava segments… just a solid, dependable shoe that’s ready to go when the plan simply says: “Run.”

That’s exactly where the Nimbus Platinum fits in.

I took it out on my usual mix, suburb tar loops, the odd dodgy patch of pavement, and a couple of longer steady runs where you’re not chasing pace, just time on feet. And straight away, you can tell this shoe’s job is simple: keep your legs happy.

Upper

Out the box, the upper feels soft and breathable, no fuss, no breaking-in drama. The engineered mesh has a bit of stretch, so it hugs the foot nicely without feeling sloppy. There’s just enough structure through the midfoot to keep things locked in when you naturally pick things up a notch.

On those warmer Gauteng mornings, airflow was spot on. No hotspots, no pressure points, it’s one of those uppers you stop thinking about after the first kilometre, which is exactly what you want.

Midsole

This is where the magic happens.

The FF BLAST+ ECO foam gives you that proper plush Nimbus feel, but without turning the run into a soggy marshmallow situation. It cushions well, especially on longer runs, but still keeps things controlled underfoot.

The PureGEL in the heel does its thing quietly in the background, softening those heavier landings when the legs start to tire. And with a bit of rocker built into the shoe, it rolls you forward nicely without you even thinking about it.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t a speed shoe. But that’s not the brief. This is comfort-first, cruise-control running at its best.

Outsole

Underneath, you’ve got a combo of AHAR+ and ASICSGRIP rubber, and it shows.

Grip is solid on tar, even when things are a bit dusty or slightly damp. No sketchy moments, no second-guessing your footing. The flex grooves in the forefoot also help the shoe move naturally through your stride, which keeps everything feeling smooth.

And durability? Ja, this one looks like it’ll go the distance.

Tongue

Nicely padded, partially gusseted, meaning it stays put.

No slipping around, no fiddling mid-run. It also spreads the lace pressure evenly, which you only really appreciate a few kays into a long run when everything still feels comfortable up top.

Heel Counter

The heel setup is spot on, structured where it needs to be, but still cushioned.

Your foot feels locked in without that stiff, restrictive feeling. No heel slip, no irritation… just a secure, comfortable hold that does its job quietly

Toe Box

Sits right in that sweet spot.

Not too wide, not too narrow, just enough room for your toes to splay naturally, especially as the run goes on and your feet start to swell a bit. The slight stretch in the mesh helps here too.

Fit (Last)

Built on a standard neutral last, so it’ll suit most runners.

Secure through the midfoot, with a bit more room up front, a well-balanced fit that works for everyday mileage and those longer weekend runs.

The Numbers

  • Heel stack: 41 mm
  • Forefoot stack: 33 mm
  • Drop: 8 mm
  • Weight: 290 g (men) / 248 g (women)

The Roving Cow Verdict 

The Nimbus Platinum is exactly what you want from a max-cushion daily trainer: comfortable, reliable, and built to eat up the kilometres.

It’s the shoe you grab on recovery days, long steady runs, or those mornings when the legs feel a bit cooked but the training plan says, “No excuses.”

Will it help you win a sprint finish? Definitely not.
Will it keep your legs fresher for tomorrow? 100%.

And honestly, that’s sometimes the real win.

SA teams brace for crucial URC weekend as playoff race tightens

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on SA teams brace for crucial URC weekend as playoff race tightens
By Adnaan Mohamed

The race to the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship (URC) is gathering pace, and South Africa’s four franchises step onto the field this weekend knowing every tackle, turnover and try could shape their playoff destiny.

Round 13 promises a festival of rugby on home soil as the Vodacom Bulls, Fidelity Securedrive Lions, Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers host European opposition in matches that could shift the balance of the standings.

With six pool rounds remaining, the margin between first and ninth place is razor thin. Only 15 points separate log leaders the Glasgow Warriors and ninth-placed Connacht Rugby, leaving fourteen teams still chasing the coveted top-eight positions.

That compressed log has turned the URC table into a battlefield where every point is fought for like a loose ball in a ruck.

The DHL Stormers sit second and continue to lead the South African charge. The Vodacom Bulls and Fidelity Securedrive Lions remain firmly in the playoff conversation, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks know the road ahead demands near perfection if they want to muscle their way into the knockout rounds.

Bulls Seek Loftus Redemption

The Vodacom Bulls return to their Pretoria fortress at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night with a clear objective after last weekend’s bruising defeat to the DHL Stormers.

Standing in their path are Cardiff Rugby, a side that has tasted defeat only four times this season and arrives with confidence after a victory over Leinster Rugby.

The Bulls remain formidable on their home turf. Only two visiting sides have escaped Loftus with victories this season, and the altitude has long served as a silent teammate for the men in blue.

Statistically the Bulls carry the sharper attacking blade, having scored 83 more points than Cardiff so far. Cardiff’s defensive line has proven more resilient, which means the hosts must convert pressure into points when opportunities appear.

Missed chances proved costly last weekend. A more clinical performance could turn Loftus into the launching pad for another climb up the standings.

Lions Look to Roar Again at Ellis Park

Momentum has been building in Johannesburg where the Fidelity Securedrive Lions have rediscovered their bite.

Victories against the Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers have injected fresh confidence into the Pride ahead of their clash with Edinburgh Rugby at Ellis Park Stadium.

The Lions have lost only once at home in the competition and their attacking rhythm has been electric, with nearly 90 more points scored than the Scottish side.

Edinburgh, however, travel with a reputation for resilience. Only one of their away defeats has been by more than eight points, a statistic that suggests the contest could unfold like a tactical arm-wrestle before the tempo lifts.

If the Lions’ attacking spark catches fire again, Ellis Park could witness another high-tempo performance from a side that thrives on broken play and open grass.

Sharks Face Must-Win Battle Against Munster

The stakes could hardly be higher for the Hollywoodbets Sharks when they face Munster Rugby in Durban.

Two successive defeats have slowed the Sharks’ momentum and left them outside the playoff zone. The Durban side trails Munster by five places on the table and holds half as many victories after twelve rounds.

That scenario leaves little room for error.

The Sharks’ attack has produced slightly more points than Munster this season, though their defensive structure has leaked too many opportunities. Tightening that system will be critical if they hope to control the contest at Kings Park Stadium.

Munster’s reputation for physical forward play and tactical discipline means the Sharks will need to strike early and maintain intensity across the full eighty minutes.

Their recent back-to-back victories against the Stormers earlier in the season showed what the Durban outfit can achieve when rhythm and belief align.

Stormers Eye Top Spot Opportunity

Sunday afternoon in Cape Town could provide the DHL Stormers with an opportunity to climb to the summit of the URC table.

The defending champions host Dragons RFC at DHL Stadium with the knowledge that a bonus-point victory could propel them into first place should the Glasgow Warriors stumble against Leinster Rugby.

The Stormers rediscovered their rhythm last weekend after ending a three-match losing run with a powerful display against the Bulls. Their record of nine victories compared to the Dragons’ two places them firmly among the favourites.

Cape Town’s coastal venue has often felt like a tidal surge for visiting teams. When the Stormers’ attacking waves gather momentum, they can crash through defensive lines with relentless force.

A strong finish to the remaining six matches could secure a valuable home playoff fixture, a prize that would place the Stormers in a powerful position as the tournament approaches its knockout phase.

Match Information

Vodacom Bulls v Cardiff
Date: Friday, 20 March
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
SA Time: 19h00
Referee: Eoghan Cross
TV: SuperSport

Fidelity Securedrive Lions v Edinburgh
Date: Saturday, 21 March
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
SA Time: 14h45
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
TV: SuperSport

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Munster
Date: Saturday, 21 March
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
SA Time: 17h00
Referee: Sam Grove-White
TV: SuperSport

DHL Stormers v Dragons
Date: Sunday, 22 March
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
SA Time: 15h00
Referee: Andrew Brace
TV: SuperSport

SA’s Pritzen and Swiss Stehli Power to Win in Longest Stage

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on SA’s Pritzen and Swiss Stehli Power to Win in Longest Stage

On a day that many believed would end in a sprint finish, South African champion Marc Pritzen and his Swiss partner Felix Stehli (Honeycomb 226ers) pulled off an audacious victory on Stage 3 of the Absa Cape Epic over a fast 140km route from Montagu to Greyton on Wednesday. 

The two pulled clear of the leading bunch of contenders on a rainy and muddy day to win in 4 hours, 19 minutes, 52 seconds – an average speed of 32.33km/h – over a course dotted with tar sections, single track and long gravel roads but with relatively little climbing of 1750m.

The Buff-BH team of Wout Alleman and Martin Stosek (Buff-BH) led home the chase group that included Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria), 1:10 behind the ecstatic winners. Overnight leaders Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) fought back from an early puncture to finish 2:26 behind the winners but relinquished their zebra-striped, yellow jersey to Braidot and Avondetto. The two are now 1 minute 14 seconds ahead of the South Africans.

In the women’s race, world marathon champion Kate Courtney of the US and her Italian teammate Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) fought hard to try and open a gap over GC leaders Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi). But the South African Dutch team managed to bring back all their accelerations before eventually pulling clear to win their fourth stage in a row. As they have all week, the plucky She Sends outfit finished second and now trails by 4:53 in the overall.

In other notable results, current World XC champion Jenny Rissveds of Sweden and husband, Denmark’s Simon Andreassen, continued their domination of the Mixed category having won every stage of the race. They lead the GC by 23:27 ahead of Scott Brasil team, Gabriela Ferolla and Huge Neto.

Men’s Race
Over one of the longest stages in Absa Cape Epic history, the combination of tar roads, single track and gravel tracks made for a fast pace at the front of the men’s elite race. By halfway, the group included almost all the elite teams, and, with few climbs to break it up, the stage looked as if it would be decided by a sprint.

But Pritzen and Stehli were eager to upset the party.

With 40km to go the plucky Honeycomb 226ers team saw a lull in the pace and decided to attack the lead group that included almost all the favourites. The only notable exceptions were Beers and Nortje who were forced to chase for the second time in the week after a puncture to Nortje’s wheel at the 70km mark.

Pritzen and Stehli quickly opened up a lead of over a minute, which yo-yo’d as the chasing pack – which included the second-placed overall team of Braidot & Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) – tried to work together to bring the escapees back. But with a strong tail wind pushing the riders towards the finish near Greyton, the gap never closed sufficiently, and they held on to win by an impressive 1:10. It was a first Epic stage win for both of them.

“It’s an incredible feeling to get a result here. It’s all we could have asked for,” said the 26-year-old. Pritzen. “We didn’t plan anything and were just racing instinctively. When we noticed hesitation in the group, with a split behind, we thought it would give us a chance to open up a quick 10 seconds. And it did.

“And then we had to time trail which and I knew that with the wattage I was putting out, the group behind was going to struggle to close it.”

Stehli, 25, made history by winning the stage on a bigger 32-inch wheeled bike. Standard mountain bikes have a 29-inch wheel, but Stehli believed that his bigger wheel size contributed to their victory.

“It’s ideal for these types of conditions. It just rolls well and helped me a lot today,” said the Swiss. 

For the new yellow jersey holders, caution was key, despite the fast pace, and it reaped them the biggest reward.

“We didn’t really have a plan, but we are happy the way it turned out,” said Avondetto. “We always want to just stay with the front group and not have any mechanicals. It feels good to be in yellow now.”


Women’s Race
The women’s elite race, over 108km with 1450m of climbing, was tightly bunched for most of the first half before Courtney and Seiwald took the fight to the leaders and, at one stage, managed to open up a gap. But the overall leaders were able to pull back the accelerations every time, and like they did on Tuesday, finally pulled away with 10km to go.

“It was a pretty crazy day out there today,” said Lill. “It started off as a nice dry track but then it turned into a complete mud fest. Kate and Greta threw in some nice attacks, and we had to chase a few times. But we had the legs to pull it back.”

The She Sends Foundation team are now 4:53 behind the lead but was still upbeat about their performance.

“Conditions were formidable, but this is the Cape Epic,” said Courtney, pointing to her muddied legs. “But we were sending it out there and giving it everything.”

On Thursday, riders take on Stage 4 over 87km with 1750m of climbing. The women’s elite race is over 61km with 1450m of climbing.

 RESULTS


Elite Men Stage

1. HONEYCOMB 226ERS: Marc PRITZEN & Felix STEHLI (4:19.53)​

2. BUFF-BH Wout ALLEMAN Martin STOSEK (4:21.03 | 1:10)

3. WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (4:21.03 | +1:10)
4. CANYON Luca SCHWARZBAUER & Sam GAZE (4:21.21 | +1:29)
5. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matt BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (4:22.19 | 2:26)​

Elite Men GC
1.  WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (12:39.28)
2. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (12:40.41 | +1:14)​

3. KLIMATIZA ORBEA: David VALERO SERRANO & Marc STUTZMANN (12:41.57 | +2:29)

4.. BUFF-BH Wout ALLEMAN & Martin STOSEK (12:44.21 | +4:53)

5. CANYON: Luca SCHWARZBAUER & Sam GAZE (12:44.38 | +5:10)

Elite Women Stage

1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (3:58.56)

2. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (4:00.18 | +1:22)
3. BUFF-BH | EFFICIENT INFINITI Rosa VAN DOORN & Vera LOOSER (4:03.05 | +4:08)

4. CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB Hayley PREEN & Hayley SMITH (4:03.06 | +4:10)
5. TORPADO FSA KENDA Katazina SOSNA-PINELE & Giorgia MARCHET (4:03.07 | +4:10)

 

Elite Women GC

1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (11:22.13)

2. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (11:27.06 | +4:53)

3. CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB: Hayley PREEN & Haley SMITH (11:52.24 | +30:11)

4. BUFF-BH | EFFICIENT INFINITI Rosa VAN DOORN & Vera LOOSER (11:53.16 | +31:02)
5. TORPADO FSA KENDA Katazina SOSNA-PINELE & Giorgia MARCHET (11:53.46 | +31:32)

 

SPECIAL JERSEYS GC

Toyota Mixed

1. TEAM 69: Jenny RISSVEDS & Simon ANDREASSEN (14:42.36)

Absa African Men

1. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (12:40.41)

Absa African Women

1. SANI2C EFFICIENT INFINITI: Samantha SANDERS & Bianca HAW

Open Women:

1. JOY RIDE: Jennifer BURTNER & Callah ROBINSON (20:44.38)

Open Men:

1. COLIBRI CYCLING: Eimantas GUDISKIS & Vladas JURKEVICIUS (14:08.24)​

Great Grand Masters Men

1. OTB: Pieter MULLER & Corrie MULLER​ (17:59.18)

GIC Grand Masters Women

1. UAG EPIC: Martha KOEKEMOER & Jenny RÖNNGREN (19:02.09)

GIC Grand Masters Men

1. ORBEA FOX FACTORY: Ibon ZUGASTI & Ernesto MENDOZA (14:37.25)

NTT Data Masters Women

1. IGLU THERAPY CHEMCHAMP RACING Juanita Rose MACKENZIE Rouxda GROBLER (18:24.39)

NTT Data Masters Men

1. SONGO-GIC-NINETY ONE Christoph SAUSER Craig URIA (14:01.43)

Exxaro Women’s Jersey

1. EXXARO MANGANESE LADIES 1: Tsholofelo NKOSI & Bontle PHEPISO (22:54.35)

Exxaro Men’s Jersey

1. FAIRTREE DP WORLD CANNONDALE 2: Ethan MICHAELS & Damon TERBLANCHE (15:17.34)

 To follow the Absa Cape Epic action live, mountain biking fans are encouraged to tune into the Absa Cape Epic’s live broadcast on the Epic Series YouTube Channel here. Daily highlights from the race can also be viewed on the YouTube Channel, and the excitement from the trails of Western Cape will be shared on the Absa Cape Epic Facebook page and @capeepic on Instagram. To find out more, visit https://www.epic-series.com/races/capeepic . 

 

Lythe Pillay’s Next Lap Starts with On

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Lythe Pillay’s Next Lap Starts with On
 
Long before Olympic stadiums, world medals and a 44.31 personal best, Lythe Pillay was just a young boy discovering a love for the track in his first year of primary school.
That early spark has carried him all the way to the world stage and now into a new chapter with Swiss sportswear brand On.
On has announced that Pillay, one of South Africa’s brightest 400m stars, has joined its global athlete roster. The signing is more than a personal milestone for the two-time Olympian. It also marks a meaningful step for the brand, as Pillay becomes the first professional South African athlete to join On’s growing track and field roster.
For Pillay, the journey to this moment has been built on steady progress, resilience and a habit of rising when the stakes are highest. He announced himself to the world in 2022 when he won gold at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia. From there, he continued to build his reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting quarter-milers, earning the honour of representing South Africa at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Then came 2025, a season that showed exactly why so many believe Pillay’s best is still ahead of him.
First, he claimed gold at the World University Games, underlining his class as an individual competitor. Then, on one of athletics’ biggest stages, he helped South Africa secure a historic bronze medal in the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. It was the kind of season that confirmed what the numbers already suggested: with a personal best of 44.31 seconds, Pillay is not just competing with the world’s best, he is becoming one of them.
That sense of ambition is part of what drew him to On.
“I felt a deep connection with On because we share that same hunger and drive to establish ourselves as household names among the giants of the industry,” said Pillay. “Both the brand and I have a point to prove to the world, and I’m excited to collaborate and channel that collective effort toward reaching the next level of the sport.”
It is a fitting partnership. On’s own rise has been shaped by bold ambition and a willingness to challenge expectations, qualities that echo Pillay’s journey from schoolboy athlete to global medal contender.
“Lythe is an exceptional talent whose ambition and underdog spirit perfectly mirror our own journey,” said Silja Mühlebach, Athlete Manager at On. “His transition from a child falling in love with the track to a world-class medalist shows a level of dedication that we are incredibly proud to support. Welcoming Lythe is a key step in our mission to grow On’s roster of elite sprinters in Africa, and we look forward to seeing him challenge the status quo.”
The partnership also signals something bigger. By bringing Pillay onto its roster, On is making a clear statement about the future, one that includes deeper investment in Africa’s sprinting talent and a stronger presence in one of the sport’s most exciting regions.
And while Pillay’s story is still being written on the track, his vision stretches beyond it. Alongside his athletics career, he is pursuing a BCom in Accounting, building a foundation for life in business and finance once his racing days are done.
For now, though, the focus is firmly on what comes next.
A boy who once fell in love with running has grown into one of South Africa’s most promising athletes. Now, with On behind him, Lythe Pillay steps into his next race carrying not only his own ambition, but the momentum of a partnership built on belief, hunger and the promise of more to come.

Springbok front-row giants embrace endurance at Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on Springbok front-row giants embrace endurance at Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon
By Adnaan Mohamed

Front-row forwards are rarely associated with distance running. Tighthead props are built like granite pillars for the scrum rather than the endless rhythm of road racing. Yet two former Springbok giants have embraced a different test of endurance.

Former 1995 Rugby World Cup winner Marius Hurter and ex-Springbok prop Eddie Andrews will line up at the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD over the weekend of the 11 and 12 April in Cape Town, chasing finish lines on roads that wind between ocean views and mountain climbs.

Hurter will again tackle the demanding 56km ultra marathon on Saturday 11 April, while Andrews returns for his sixth 21km half marathon the following day.

Both men once weighed more than 130kg while anchoring the Springbok scrum. Today they measure progress through kilometres rather than collisions.

Hurter, affectionately known as the ‘Hurternator’, now weighs around 103kg after shedding more than 30kg through endurance sport.

Marius Hurter crossing the TTOM 56km finish in 2026 by Action Photo

“My rugby career finished in 2006, but being from a military household I was used to exercise from a very young age,” Hurter said.

His mindset was forged during his youth.

“When I was about 15, I told my dad I wanted to be a paratrooper. He said, ‘You’re too soft, man. You’ll never be a paratrooper.’ That afternoon he came home with a two-metre pole and told me every morning before school I had to jog around the block with it, then do push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups.”

That discipline carried him through a career that now includes nine finishes in the Absa Cape Epic, multiple Ironman triathlons, the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon as well as the Ultra Trail Cape Town (UTCT) 100-Miler (160km) race.

“I must say, being a prop, I like a bit of suffering,” he said.

“This stuff is hard on the body, but a lot of it comes down to mental toughness. Your physique is one thing, but it’s this little thing between your ears that runs the whole operation.”

This year’s Two Oceans Ultra carries special meaning as Hurter will run alongside his eldest daughter Annalien in her first ultra marathon.

“I told them if you start something, you finish it,” he said.

For Andrews, who currently serves as the Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, the running journey began with a modest first step in 2016.

“A journey of a thousand miles starts in the first step,” he said. “My running journey started in 2016 with Parkrun. Run, walk or crawl.”

The former Bok strongman, who played 23 Tests between 2004 and 2007, now views running as both challenge and community.

“Yes, this is part of my prep for the Two Oceans Half Marathon,” Andrews said after a recent 15km race. “It was my first road race back over the shorter distances.”

Even seasoned runners feel the strain in the closing kilometres.

“You know, fighting some demons at the end there but it’s all about crossing that line no matter the pace. It’s about finishing the race.”

The 2026 race will mark Andrews’ sixth appearance in the half marathon and move him closer to the coveted Blue Number awarded for ten finishes.

“This is my sixth Two Oceans Half,” he said. “Yes, I am almost there. I’m going to go for it.”

He believes other former rugby players should follow the same path.

“This is a challenge to all ex-Springbok rugby players to do it as well,” Andrews said. “Run the races, be in the community of runners and have other conversations.”

For two men once defined by scrums and collisions, the open road now offers a different contest where endurance, patience and belief carry the day.

XC Specialists Gaze and Schwarzbauer Finally Get Their Reward

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on XC Specialists Gaze and Schwarzbauer Finally Get Their Reward

On a course where most of the climbing happened in the first half of the 102km stage, former World XC champion Sam Gaze and short course specialist Luca Schwarzbauer showed off their XC class in the final 20km to win Stage 2 of the Absa Cape Epic in Montagu on Tuesday.

Gaze, from New Zealand, and German Schwarzbauer won the dusty rocky stage in 3 hours 54 minutes 55 seconds ahead of Italian Wilier-Vittoria outfit Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto. Overall leaders Matth Beers and Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) finished third.

The Canyon team’s win moved them up to sixth on the General Classification while Beers and Nortje’s overall lead was reduced to just two seconds ahead of the Italian team.

In the women’s race – over 80km with 1750m of climbing – South African champion Candice Lill and her Dutch partner Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi) extended their lead over Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) after winning the stage in 3 hours 30 minutes. But Courtney and Seiwald firmed up their second place overall, finishing just 37 seconds behind on the stage.


Men’s Race

In a stage packed with climbs in the first half, it was always going to be a fast finish for all those who had survived the earlier ascents. By the time the race had made it over the Ouberg Pass, eight teams were still in the lead group, as Beers and Nortje sat on the front, tapping out a steady pace.

But, with 25km to go, the XC specialists began to make their presence felt. First, it was the tall figure of powerful former Olympic XC bronze medalist David Serrano who pushed the pace up front before Schwarzbauer and Gaze began their surges. The early attacks split the front group before a final selection of seven teams made their way into the last 10km.

Gaze and Schwarzbauer animated all the action, and it was clear that their powerful accelerations would be difficult to control as they neared the finish. Predictably, the two rounded the final bend together with only Wilier-Vittoria and Toyota Specialized Imbuko in sight.

“The fun level was high but the suffer level was even higher,” a delighted Schwarzbauer said. “When you go on an all-out attack and it doesn’t work it is the most terrible thing. We attacked like that two times, and luckily the second one worked. The finish today was like a short track race because it was all about positioning and we could use our abilities.”

On Stage 1, the two Canyon riders suffered chain and tyre issues and lost time on the overall classification but still feel they are in with a shout for the overall title as they lie in sixth 4:58 behind.

“There are still five days left and this is the Cape Epic,” said Gaze. “We had some bad luck yesterday but maybe we will benefit somewhere else.”

After winning the opening prologue and finishing third twice, the Toyota Specialized Imbuko team did most of the early pace setting before the late attacks split up the field.

“Today was a weird day. It was quite boring but still rough and rocky,” said Nortje. “Matt and I just rode at the front just to keep safe because there were rocks flying all around. But the XCO guys did some big kicks in the final 5km, so I was quite surprised that we still managed to follow them.”

 

Women’s Race

As it did on Stage 1, Stage 2 of the women’s elite race began with a short, sharp climb out of the gates and then on to the long Ouberg Pass. By the time they had breached the second climb second-placed overall Courtney and Seiwald had split the group with only Lill and Keller, who were able to follow.

Behind them there was drama for the third-place team Rosa Van Doorn and Vera Looser (Buff-Bh Efficient Infiniti) when Van Doorn punctured just after the first climb and was unable to fix the puncture. The Dutch woman was forced to ride on the soft tyre insert until the next tech zone but, to add their misery, their men’s team had taken Van Doorn’s spare wheel. The team eventually managed to scramble to a ninth-place finish but lost 23 minutes to the overall leaders and now lie fifth on the GC.

Meanwhile, up front Seiwald and Courtney were still putting pressure on the orange jersey holders as they set the pace for most of the stage. But they paid the price when Lill and Keller accelerated up a small climb with 9km to go and were unable to follow.

“Once we had established a gap, we pushed pretty hard to the finish,’ Keller said. “We wanted to put in as much time as we could.”

Margot Moschetti and Claudia Peretti (Symbtech.Net) moved on to the final step of the podium after finishing seventh on the stage. They now trail the overall leaders by 25 minutes.

On Wednesday, riders take on the longest stage of the 2026 event over 140km with 1750m of climbing. The women’s elite race will be over 108km with 1450m of climbing.

 

RESULTS

Elite Men Stage

1. CANYON: Luca SCHWARZBAUER & Sam GAZE (3:54.55)

2. WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (3:54.56 | +2)

3. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (3:54.59 | +4)

4. TORPADO KENDA FSA Fabian RABENSTEINER & Casey SOUTH (3:55.06 | +11)

5. ORIGINE-WILIER: Mathis AZZARO & Juri ZANOTTI (3:55.07 | +12)


Elite Men GC

1. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (8:18.22)

2. WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (8:18.24 | +2)

3. KLIMATIZA ORBEA: David VALERO SERRANO & Marc STUTZMANN (8:18.51 | +29)

4. ORIGINE-WILIER: Mathis AZZARO & Juri ZANOTTI (8:18.56 | +34)

5. TORPADO KENDA FSA: Fabian Rabensteiner & Casey South (8:20.07 | +1:45)

 

Elite Women Stage

1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (3:30.00)

2. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (3:03.48 | +1:57)

3. TORPADO FSA KENDA Katazina SOSNA-PINELE & Giorgia MARCHET (3:40.43 | +10:43)

4. CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB Hayley PREEN & Hayley SMITH (3:40.44 | +10:43)

5. SANI2C EFFICIENT INFINITI Samantha SANDERS & Bianca HAW (3:42.49 | +12.49)

 

Elite Women GC

1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (7:23.17)

2. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (7:26.48 | +3:31)

3.  SYMBTECH.NET: Margot MOSCHETTI & Claudia PERETTI (7:48.21 | +25:04)

4. CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB: Hayley PREEN & Haley SMITH (7:49.18 | +26:00)

5. BUFF-BH | EFFICIENT INFINITI Rosa VAN DOORN & Vera LOOSER (7:50.11 | +26:54)

 

SPECIAL JERSEYS GC

Toyota Mixed

1. TEAM 69: Jenny RISSVEDS & Simon ANDREASSEN (9:42.33)

Absa African Men

1. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (8:18.22)

Absa African Women

1. SANI2C EFFICIENT INFINITI: Samantha SANDERS & Bianca HAW (7:56.19)

Open Women:

1. JOY RIDE: Jennifer BURTNER & Callah ROBINSON (13:54.08)

Open Men:

1. COLIBRI CYCLING: Eimantas GUDISKIS & Vladas JURKEVICIUS (9:22.20)

Great Grand Masters Men

1. OTB: Pieter MULLER & Corrie MULLER (12:08.18)

GIC Grand Masters Women

1. UAG EPIC: Martha KOEKEMOER & Jenny RÖNNGREN (12:58.18)

GIC Grand Masters Men

1. ORBEA FOX FACTORY: Ibon ZUGASTI & Ernesto MENDOZA (9:46.02)

NTT Data Masters Women

1. USWE SA: Mari DU TOIT & Janine MULLER (12:25.38)

NTT Data Masters Men

1. CZECHROCKET&SWISSDIESEL: Pavel gonda Tobias LUTHI (9:12.46)

Exxaro Women’s Jersey

1. EXXARO MANGANESE LADIES 1: Tsholofelo NKOSI & Bontle PHEPISO (15:35.34)

Exxaro Men’s Jersey

1. FAIRTREE DP WORLD CANNONDALE 2: Ethan MICHAELS & Damon TERBLANCHE (10:13.23)

To follow the Absa Cape Epic action live, mountain biking fans are encouraged to tune into the Absa Cape Epic’s live broadcast on the Epic Series

YouTube Channel here

Daily highlights from the race can also be viewed on the YouTube Channel, and the excitement from the trails of Western Cape will be shared on the Absa Cape Epic Facebook page and @capeepic on Instagram. To find out more, visit https://www.epic-series.com/races/capeepic 

Beers and Nortje Show Fighting Spirit as Alleman and Stosek Win Stage 1

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Beers and Nortje Show Fighting Spirit as Alleman and Stosek Win Stage 1

After suffering a rear wheel puncture just before halfway, yellow jersey leaders Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) fought back from what looked to be an unassailable deficit to finish with the lead bunch and retain the overall lead after Stage 1 of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic in Montagu on Monday.

Belgian Wout Alleman and Czech Martin Stosek (Buff-BH) won the stage after fighting off five other teams in a chaotic final few kilometres that came down to a finish line sprint. Alleman crossed the line first and Stosek third to take the win in 3 hours 38 minutes and 42 seconds. Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) grabbed second with Beers and Nortje third, just two seconds behind.

Beers and Nortje still lead overall, four seconds ahead of the all-Italian Wilier-Vittoria team with David Valero Serrano and Marc Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea) third on the GC, 20 seconds off the pace.

The 90km stage included 2150m of climbing over rocky, dusty terrain. The last time the race visited Montagu was in 2007 

In the women’s race – over a shorter 66km route with 1800m of climbing – Prologue winners Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi) slowly turned up the heat after halfway to pull away from their closest rivals and win the stage by 1 minute 35 seconds ahead of Rosa Van Doorn and Vera Looser (Buff-Bh Efficient Infiniti) with Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) finishing in third, 1:56 behind.

Men’s Race

The men’s race started half an hour earlier to accommodate expected high temperatures in the area. SA champion Marc Pritzen (Honeycomb 226ers) set the early pace only to find his partner Feliz Stehli struggling at the back which forced him to pull back.

The Canyon team of Luca Schwarzbauer and former World Marathon champion Sam Gaze made a brief flurry at the front, eager to put the pressure on. But a mechanical issue forced them to stop and then chase back, finishing 12th. But they will be a team to watch for stage wins over the next few days.

The Klimatiza Orbea suffered a similar fate with an ill-timed puncture just over 10km from the finish, forcing them to also chase back to the lead group.

But it was Beers and Nortje’s puncture that looked set to relegate them down the GC after they struggled to plug the hole and had to wait for their back-up team to swap wheels and continue.

“When I saw that the gap was 3:40 I thought, oh dear, that’s a proper one and I wasn’t sure we’d get that back,” Beers, a three-time winner, said. “But we just kept the speed on the corners high and flowed and sometimes you can ride a lot faster than the group that way. You learn over the years where to spend your effort and, in the end, we had a great ride.”

Nortje was thankful that he had come to ride the trails around Montagu in February, so he had a good idea of the terrain.

“I knew what was coming, where the descents were fast and open and where we had to push,” the 24-year-old said.

The two eventually returned to the lead pack with 15km to go, and despite some further attacks, the local pairing were able to match the pace and retain their overall lead.

But the victory belonged to Alleman and Stosek, who outmaneuvered the big bunch to put themselves in a perfect position to win the stage in a twisty, tight finish “It was super rocky and quite rough,” Alleman said. “We tried to make a gap on some of the climbs towards the end, but they were too short so we decided we would try and win the sprint. I got into a good position in the last bit of single track and Martin was also just behind so it worked out well.”

Women’s Race

The women’s elite race started off much like a shorter XC race as the group raced up the initial 7km Abrikooskloof climb from the gun. But the early effort took its toll on many of the teams, and it was soon Lill and Keller, along with Courtney and Seiwald and Van Doorn and Looser that pulled ahead.

Just halfway through, Courtney and Seiwald ran out of water and Lill and Keller slowly started putting the squeeze on the lead group.

“It was really hard from the start up that first Pass,” said Lill. “But it made the racing cool and more exciting. We started to notice that a few of the teams were starting to struggle just before halfway and so we just pushed a little harder and pulled out a gap.”

For Keller, the current World Short Course champion, completing her first full Absa Cape Epic stage was an eye-opener.

 “The suffering is still the same but it’s just a little bit longer,” Keller she smiled.

On Tuesday, the main race will take 102km with 2250m of climbing while the women’s elite race will be contested over 80km with 1750m of climbing.

RESULTS

Elite Men Stage

1. BUFF-BH: Wout Alleman & Martin Stosek (3:38.43)

2. WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (3:38.44 | +1)

3. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (3:38.46 | +2)

4. ORIGINE-WILIER: Mathis AZZARO & Juri ZANOTTI (3:38.46 | +3)

5. KLIMATIZA ORBEA: David VALERO SERRANO & Marc STUTZMANN (3:38.53 | +10)

Elite Men GC

1. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (4:23.23)

2. WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (4:23.28 | +4)

3. KLIMATIZA ORBEA: David VALERO SERRANO & Marc STUTZMANN (4.23.43 | +20)

4.. ORIGINE-WILIER: Mathis AZZARO & Juri ZANOTTI (4:23.49 | +26)

5. TORPADO KENDA FSA: Fabian Rabensteiner & Casey South (4:25.01 | +1:38)

Elite Women Stage

1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (3:01.52)

2. BUFF-BH | EFFICIENT INFINITI: Rosa VAN DOORN & Vera LOOSER (3:03.28 | +1:36)

3. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (3:03.48 | +1:57)

4. SYMBTECH.NET: Margot MOSCHETTI & Claudia PERETTI (3:10.07 | +8:15)

5. CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB: Hayley PREEN & Haley SMITH (3:14.03 | +12:12)

Elite Women GC

1. THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (3:53.16)

2. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (3:56.10 | +2:53)

3. BUFF-BH | EFFICIENT INFINITI: Rosa VAN DOORN & Vera LOOSER (3:57.02 | +2:53)

3. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (3:03.48 | +3:45)

4. SYMBTECH.NET: Margot MOSCHETTI & Claudia PERETTI (4:04.18 | +11:02)

5. CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB: Hayley PREEN & Haley SMITH (4:08.34 | +15:18)

 

 SPECIAL JERSEYS GC

 Toyota Mixed

1. TEAM 69: Jenny RISSVEDS & Simon ANDREASSEN (5:12.48)

 

Absa African Men

1. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (4:23.23)

 

Absa African Women

1. SANI2C EFFICIENT INFINITI: Samantha SANDERS & Bianca HAW (3:18.49l)

 

Open Women:

1. JOY RIDE: Jennifer BURTNER & Callah ROBINSON (7:32.09)

 

Open Men:

1. COLIBRI CYCLING: Eimantas GUDISKIS & Vladas JURKEVICIUS (4:58.49)

 

Great Grand Masters Women

1. TEAM GEANCO: Rhonda GEISZLER & Tamara TABEEK (1:27:02.2)

 

Great Grand Masters Men

1. OTB: Pieter MULLER & Corrie MULLER (6:35.43)

 

GIC Grand Masters Women

1. UAG EPIC: Martha KOEKEMOER & Jenny RÖNNGREN (7:07.36)

 

GIC Grand Masters Men

1. ORBEA FOX FACTORY: Ibon ZUGASTI & Ernesto MENDOZA (5:14.49)

 

NTT Data Masters Women

1. USWE SA: Mari DU TOIT & Janine MULLER (6:43.24)

 

NTT Data Masters Men

1. WILIER-CHAOYANG: Uwe HOCHENWARTER & Karl MARKT (4:55.36)

 

Exxaro Women’s Jersey

1. EXXARO MANGANESE LADIES 1: Tsholofelo NKOSI & Bontle PHEPISO (8:15.13)

 

Exxaro Men’s Jersey

1. FAIRTREE DP WORLD CANNONDALE 2: Ethan MICHAELS & Damon TERBLANCHE (5:31.51)

 

To follow the Absa Cape Epic action live, mountain biking fans are encouraged to tune into the Absa Cape Epic’s live broadcast on the Epic Series

YouTube Channel here

Daily highlights from the race can also be viewed on the YouTube Channel, and the excitement from the trails of Western Cape will be shared on the Absa Cape Epic Facebook page and @capeepic on Instagram. To find out more, visit https://www.epic-series.com/races/capeepic .