Matt Beers (Specialized Off-Road Toyota) is proving unstoppable at the 2025 Nedbank Gravel Burn. The South African powerhouse backed up his Stage 1 triumph with another commanding win on Stage 2, sprinting to victory in the Karoo town of Willowmore ahead of Germany’s Lukas Baum (Orbea x Leatt Speed Company) and Swiss rider Simon Pellaud (Tudor Pro Cycling).
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing — unless you count the “champagne gravel” that defined much of the 84 km route. On a day that mixed high-speed racing with a few unexpected detours, including a herd of cattle staging their own mid-stage appearance, Beers and his rivals put on a show of sheer power and precision across the undulating Eastern Cape terrain.
A Blue-Sky Start to a Blistering Stage
After two days of unpredictable weather, the riders rolled out from Avontuur under bright blue skies and crisp morning air — perfect conditions for fast racing. The men’s pro field wasted no time, rocketing out of Burn Camp and through the farm gates onto the tar road to Uniondale. The first 11 kilometres of smooth tarmac kept the peloton compact, as riders used the stretch to shake out their legs and size up the competition.
Once the gravel began, the action ignited. Lukas Pöstlberger (Rose Racing Circle) launched the first meaningful attack of the day, attempting to stretch the bunch early. Olympic gold medallist Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) quickly shut it down, signaling that no one was getting away easily.
The real drama, however, came on the first major climb of the day — the Shallot. Its steeper sibling, the notorious “Onion” climb, had been cut from the day’s route, but the Shallot was no gentle substitute. It was here that the day’s defining move began to take shape.
The Breakaway is Born
Baum, Beers, Pellaud, and local favourite Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized) broke clear, opening a slender 10-second gap on the chasing pack. As the gradient bit harder, Baum pressed the pace, splintering the group. Beers momentarily slipped but fought back, bridging across to the German along with Pellaud. The three formed a formidable trio — a perfect mix of power, experience, and ambition — and soon worked their lead to a full minute over the chasing bunch.
“The Shallot climb was brutal,” Beers admitted afterward. “Lukas went full gas, and I nearly lost contact. But once Simon and I got back, we just kept the pressure on. It was a hard but clean race — just how I like it.”
Cows on Course, Chaos Averted
As if the pace wasn’t hectic enough, the front group soon had to dodge a new obstacle: a herd of curious cattle wandering onto the gravel road mid-stage. The trio managed to weave through the Karoo “rush hour” unscathed, their handling skills tested as much as their endurance.
“It’s not every day you have to race through cows,” Pellaud laughed afterward. “But that’s gravel racing — unpredictable and wild. You’ve got to stay focused and just ride what’s in front of you.”
The chasing group navigated the same scene minutes later, with no harm done to riders or livestock — though the delay widened the leaders’ advantage even further.
Beers Seals the Deal
From there, it was full throttle to Willowmore. Beers, Baum, and Pellaud exchanged turns at the front, extending their lead at every checkpoint. As the finish neared, fatigue began to show — first in Pellaud, who lost contact on a rougher technical section. That left Beers and Baum to duel it out over the final kilometres.
“Matt was so strong today,” Baum admitted. “We worked together perfectly, but he just had that extra kick on the line. He’s riding with real intent.”
On the flat tar run-in to Willowmore, Beers unleashed his trademark power to edge out Baum and claim back-to-back stage victories. The win also extended his overall lead in the general classification to just over one minute ahead of Pellaud, with Baum moving up to third.
“It’s awesome to take another win,” said Beers, smiling at the finish. “The course was fast, the racing was tough, and the vibe was unreal. This event really captures the spirit of gravel racing — adventure, teamwork, and just pure racing.”
What’s Next
With two stages down and three to go, Beers has stamped his authority on the inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn. But with more climbing, rougher terrain, and unpredictable Karoo weather still to come, the race is far from over.
Tomorrow’s Stage 3 promises more fireworks — and perhaps a few more surprises. If today proved anything, it’s that on the Gravel Burn, anything can happen — even cows in the fast lane.
