Absa Cape Epic 2026 Stage 3 Results: Pritzen & Stehli Win as Lill & Keller Extend Overall Lead
Stage 3 of the Absa Cape Epic 2026 delivered one of the most decisive and dramatic days of racing yet, as the longest stage of the race—140km from Montagu to Greyton—reshaped both the elite men’s and women’s competitions. With rolling farm roads, relentless gravel sectors, and a sting in the tail, the stage was always likely to reward bravery. It did exactly that.
In the elite men’s race, the general classification was delicately poised at the start, with just seconds separating the top teams. Early in the stage, the main contenders rode conservatively, feeling each other out across the fast, open terrain. The pace was high but controlled, with no team willing to commit too early on such a long day. That tension, however, was broken in dramatic fashion midway through the stage.
Race leaders Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje saw their advantage unravel when Nortje suffered a puncture. In a race as tightly contested as this, even the smallest setback can be catastrophic. The leading group wasted no time in capitalising, immediately lifting the pace and forcing the yellow jersey team into damage control. Although Beers drove the chase with determination, Nortje began to show the accumulated fatigue of three hard days of racing, and the elastic stretched dangerously.
Sensing opportunity, Marc Pritzen and Felix Stehli launched a bold and ultimately race-defining move. Their attack came far from the finish—an audacious decision on such a demanding stage—but it was executed with precision and commitment. As the chasing group hesitated, the duo steadily built a gap, metre by metre, second by second. Once clear, they rode with complete cohesion, extending their lead to nearly 40 seconds as the race entered its final hours.
Behind them, the chase fractured under pressure. The strongest teams—Wilier-Vittoria, Buff-BH, and Canyon—attempted to organise a response, but the pace proved too much for some, and the group began to splinter. Meanwhile, Beers and Nortje fought their way back into contention, but the cost of the earlier puncture was evident. With limited cooperation in the chase and the leaders riding flawlessly out front, the gap proved insurmountable.
After nearly four and a half hours of racing, Pritzen and Stehli crossed the line in Greyton to claim a memorable and emotional stage victory—their first at the Cape Epic. It was a triumph built on courage, timing, and sheer physical resilience. Behind them, the battle for the remaining podium places came down to a sprint, with Buff-BH edging out Wilier-Vittoria in a tight finish.
For Beers and Nortje, the damage was significant. Crossing the line over two minutes down, they relinquished the overall lead, handing the yellow jersey to the Italian duo of Wilier-Vittoria. What had started as a day of control ended as one of survival, underlining just how unforgiving the Cape Epic can be.
In the elite women’s race, Stage 3 brought its own layer of tactical intrigue. With the revised race format seeing the women join the course after 32 kilometres, the 108km stage still packed in over 1,400 metres of climbing—more than enough to create meaningful gaps.
From the outset, the racing was aggressive. The top teams formed a lead group early on, with no one willing to concede ground. The dynamic was tense, with each team probing for weakness while carefully managing their own efforts. Among them, Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller, riding in the orange leader’s jerseys, appeared composed but not invincible.
That vulnerability was tested when Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald of She Sends Foundation launched a well-coordinated attack. Using a classic one-two strategy, Seiwald surged ahead to create a gap, forcing a reaction. Courtney then bridged across, briefly stretching the elastic and putting the leaders under pressure. It was one of the most aggressive moves of the race so far and hinted at a potential shift in momentum.
For a moment, it looked promising. The gap grew to around 20 seconds, and the chasing group hesitated. But Lill and Keller responded with authority. Remaining calm under pressure, they steadily reeled the attackers back in, closing the move within minutes. It was a clear statement—not just of strength, but of composure.
As the race entered its final phase, the group began to thin out. The cumulative fatigue of the stage took its toll, and only the strongest combinations remained in contention. Teams like Torpado FSA Kenda and Buff-BH fought hard to stay in the mix, each sensing an opportunity for a podium result.
With around 10 kilometres to go, Lill and Keller made their decisive move. It wasn’t explosive, but it was relentless—a sustained increase in pace that gradually distanced their rivals. Courtney and Seiwald attempted to respond but couldn’t match the consistency of the leaders. Once the gap opened, it continued to grow, and the outcome became increasingly inevitable.
Lill and Keller crossed the line to secure yet another stage victory, further cementing their dominance in this year’s race. Their ability to absorb attacks and respond at precisely the right moment has set them apart, and Stage 3 was perhaps their most complete performance yet.
Courtney and Seiwald followed in second, marking their third runner-up finish of the race—impressive consistency, but still just short of a breakthrough win. The battle for third added late drama, with a sprint deciding the final podium position. Ultimately, the Buff-BH combination secured the spot, bouncing back strongly after earlier setbacks.
After three stages, the patterns of the race are beginning to emerge. In the men’s competition, momentum has shifted, with new leaders and growing confidence among the challengers. In the women’s race, however, Lill and Keller continue to assert control, combining tactical intelligence with physical superiority.
Stage 3 was a reminder of what makes the Cape Epic so compelling. It’s not just about strength—it’s about timing, teamwork, and resilience. Over long distances and unforgiving terrain, fortunes can change in an instant. And with several stages still to come, the race remains wide open, promising more drama in the days ahead.
| Rank | Team | Riders |
| 1st Place | HONEYCOMB 226ers | Marc Pritzen & Felix Stehli |
| 2nd Place | BUFF-BH | Wout Alleman & Martin Stosek |
| 3rd Place | WILIER-VITTORIA (New Overall Leaders) | Luca Braidot & Simone Avondetto |
Women’s Category
| Rank | Team | Riders |
| 1st Place | THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI | Candice Lill & Alessandra Keller |
| 2nd Place | SHE SENDS FOUNDATION | Kate Courtney & Greta Seiwald |
| 3rd Place | BUFF-BH | EFFICIENT INFINITI | Rosa van Doorn & Vera Looser |