Drama and first victories on Stage 4 of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic

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

Courtney and Seiwald, representing She Sends Foundation, had finished second in every stage until now.

They used some bold tactics to edge out overall leaders Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi), who had dominated the first four days.

She Sends Foundation crossed the line in 2 hours 56 minutes 37 seconds, just two seconds ahead of Lill and Keller.

The battle for third place saw drama unfold when Dutch rider Rosa van Doorn crashed on the descent after the final UFO climb, sustaining a gash to her knee and losing a tooth.

Her partner, Vera Looser, was forced to finish the stage alone. Hayley Preen and Haley Smith (Chemchamp Honeycomb) eventually secured third place on the stage and cemented their third place overall.

In the men’s race, Buff-BH’s Wout Alleman crashed heavily on the tricky Middelplaas descent, delaying Tristan Nortje, who sits second overall with partner Matt Beers (Toyota Specialized Imbuko).

Nortje had to regroup with Beers as the lead teams pulled ahead. Despite their efforts, the pair finished third on the stage, 23 seconds behind the winners.

Sam Gaze and Luca Schwarzbauer, riding for Canyon, demonstrated their XC and short-track pedigree, holding off the chasing Wilier-Vittoria team of Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto to take the win.

Wilier-Vittoria retained the overall leader’s jersey for the second day running, with Canyon moving up to third overall, 5 minutes 10 seconds behind.

Women’s Race
The 61km stage, featuring 1 450m of climbing, started slower than previous days as riders struggled with tired legs. By the halfway mark, the top two overall teams were setting the pace as the big climb up UFO came into view. On the final dusty descent down Middelplaas, Van Doorn crashed, forcing her withdrawal.

Ahead, Courtney and Seiwald put their plan into action. On the narrow singletrack, Seiwald accelerated while Courtney held up the leaders. By the finish line, Seiwald had a small advantage, allowing Courtney to sprint to second and secure the stage win.

“We had been discussing tactics and various scenarios and it worked out perfectly,” Seiwald said.

“I still can’t believe we won. We will definitely celebrate with some cake today.” The duo also revealed they will donate their prize money to two local charities via Courtney’s She Sends Foundation.

Overall leaders Lill and Keller were visibly disappointed. “Today they really played it well into the finish,” Lill said. “Yes, there was some blocking, fighting for position and putting feet down at times, but I guess that’s racing.”

Men’s Race
The 87km men’s stage included 1 750m of climbing and broke apart on the final UFO climb. Alleman set a furious pace, but crashed on the technical Middelplaas descent, giving Gaze and Schwarzbauer an opening. Nortje and Beers chased hard but finished third, 23 seconds down.

Gaze said: “It was a really hard final with that climb. We tried to measure our effort and just stay in touch with the leaders. The last descent was very loose and then the BH guys were on the floor. From then it was full gas.”

Braidot and Avondetto extended their GC lead to 1:37 over the South Africans, with three tough stages still to come.

The women's podium after Stage 4. Photo: Diwan KrigeThe 87km men’s stage included 1 750m of climbing. Photo: Nick Muzik Stage Results

Elite Men Stage

CANYON: Luca Schwarzbauer & Sam Gaze – 3:29:31
WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca Braidot & Simone Avondetto – 3:29:32 (+1)
TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matt Beers & Tristan Nortje – 3:29:55 (+23)

Elite Men GC

WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca Braidot & Simone Avondetto – 16:08:59
TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matt Beers & Tristan Nortje – 16:10:37 (+1:37)
CANYON: Luca Schwarzbauer & Sam Gaze – 16:14:09 (+5:10)

Elite Women Stage

SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate Courtney & Greta Seiwald – 2:56:37
THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice Lill & Alessandra Keller – 2:56:40 (+2)
CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB: Hayley Preen & Haley Smith – 2:58:21 (+1:43)

Elite Women GC

THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice Lill & Alessandra Keller – 14:18:54
SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate Courtney & Greta Seiwald – 14:23:44 (+4:50)
CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB: Hayley Preen & Haley Smith – 14:50:46 (+31:52)