Beers and Dubau-Prevot lead as Nedbank Gravel Burn heads to Blaauwater

GARDEN ROUTE AND EASTERN CAPE NEWS - Stage 2 of the Nedbank Gravel Burn delivered drama, dust and pure determination as riders tackled the 108km stretch from Avontuur to Willowmore in the Eastern Cape on Monday 27 October.

Knysna's Matt Beers (Specialized Off Road Toyota) and France’s Axelle Dubau-Prevot (Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello) powered to victory after a day of fierce racing on what riders call “champagne gravel”, the smooth, fast and unforgiving roads cutting through the Karoo.

Beers, who now leads the General Classification by just one minute over Switzerland’s Simon Pellaud (Tudor Pro Cycling), crossed the finish line ahead of Germany’s Lukas Baum (Orbea x Leatt Speed Company) and Pellaud after a fast-paced battle that included everything from technical climbs to unexpected cattle crossings.

“We all worked really well out there today,” said Beers.

“All three of us were trying to make time in the general classification. Lukas set a super hard pace up the Shallot climb. It was rough, but I managed to bridge the gap and stay with them to the end.”

Matt Beers

The stage began with blue skies and a brisk start from Avontuur Burn Camp. After 11km of tar, the gravel began to bite, and the bunch quickly fractured on the first major challenge of the day, the Shallot climb.

A small lead group of Beers, Baum, Tristan Nortje and Pellaud pulled away, gaining nearly a minute over the chasers before negotiating a herd of cattle that briefly brought the race to a standstill.

The leading trio managed to maintain composure and extend their advantage, with Beers out-sprinting Baum in the closing kilometres to claim the win.

In the women’s race, Axelle Dubau-Prevot stormed to a remarkable victory after reeling in American Melisa Rollins (Liv Racing Collective) within metres of the line. Canada’s Haley Smith (Trek Driftless / MAAP / COROS / The Feed) rounded out the podium.

After 11km of tar, the gravel began to bite.

The decisive moment came early on the Shallot climb, where Rollins and fellow contender Preen broke away before being caught by a chasing group including Dubau-Prevot, Smith, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance Soul) and Lauren Stephens (Aegis Cycling Foundation).

A late puncture dashed Preen’s hopes, forcing her to limp home in sixth place after riding the final kilometres “on the rim”.

“I just gave everything I had to the finish,” said Dubau-Prevot after her win. “The terrain was tough, but it was an incredible stage – so fast and so much teamwork out there.”

Stage 2 also saw the first presentation of the Elixirr Challenger Jerseys, awarded to the biggest movers in the general classification.

Switzerland’s Beatrice Lehmann gained 16 places after a challenging opening stage, while Australia’s Cameron Wurf rocketed up 185 positions despite enduring the race in shrunken, semi-melted shoes after a failed campfire drying attempt the night before.

As temperatures soared and headwinds tested every rider, Elixirr, the race’s Digital Transformation Partner, ensured fans could follow the action through its live-tracking app and digital updates, keeping the spirit of the Gravel Burn alive both on and off the trails.

After two gruelling stages through the Garden Route and Eastern Cape and this morning Stage 3 saw riders leave Graaff-Reinet to Blaauwater, a 90 km stretch with around 1 450m of climbing. - Compiled by Kristy Kolberg

Axelle Dubau-Prevot after winning Stage 1 earlier this week. Photo: Jeff Ayliffe