{"id":75443,"date":"2026-03-19T18:26:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T16:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=75443"},"modified":"2026-03-21T06:36:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T04:36:09","slug":"courney-and-seiwald-finally-get-their-win-cape-epic-stage-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/courney-and-seiwald-finally-get-their-win-cape-epic-stage-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Courtney and Seiwald finally get their win"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

American Kate Courtney and her Italian partner Greta Seiwald finally secured their first stage win at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic when they won Stage 4 in Greyton on Thursday. The She Sends Foundation duo outmanoeuvred overall leaders Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller to win the sprint to the line in a drama-filled stage that saw the third-placed team in the overall classification withdraw from the race. In the men\u2019s race former World XC champion Sam Gaze and short course specialist Luca Schwarzbauer took advantage of a crash in the men\u2019s race to win their second stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Michael Chiaretta\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s Sam Gaze and German Luca Schwarzbauer won their second stage in the men\u2019s race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 (Th\u00f6mus Maxon Sabi Sabi) who had won the first four days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Michael Chiaretta\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The men\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Canyon team\u2019s 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\u2019s race still to come there is plenty still to play for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Sam Clark\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Women\u2019s Race<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


The shorter women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just behind, Van Doorn and Looser had started to create a gap over Preen and Smith, but halfway down the trail Van Doorn\u2019s front wheel slid out and she landed heavily on her face and knee. The resulting injuries were enough to force her withdrawal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Michael Chiaretta\/Cape Epic

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had been discussing tactics and various scenarios, and it worked out perfectly,\u201d said Seiwald. \u201cI still can\u2019t believe we won and we will definitely celebrate with some cake today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two also revealed they would donate their prize money to two local charities through Courtney\u2019s She Sends Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Michael Chiaretta\/Cape Epic

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Overall leaders Lill and Keller were clearly disappointed at not being able to keep their winning streak intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday they really played it well into the finish,\u201d said Lill. \u201cKate 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, there was some blocking, fighting for position and putting feet down at times, but I guess that\u2019s racing.\u201d

Men\u2019s Race<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As expected, the men\u2019s race broke apart up the final brutal UFO climb 65km into the 87km stage that included 1750m of climbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buff-BH\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nortje\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was a really hard final with that climb,\u201d said Gaze, \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Nick Muzik\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe tried to win the stage but Sam and Luca are such good sprinters so for us it was hard,\u201d said Avondetto. \u201cOur main objective is to keep the jersey but there are still three hard stages to come and we want to just preserve our energy.\u201d

<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RESULTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Elite Men Stage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. 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\u200b. DOUBLE DUTCH Hans BECKING & Teus RUIJTER (3:31.42 | 2:11)

Elite Men GC<\/strong>
1.  WILIER-VITTORIA: Luca BRAIDOT & Simone AVONDETTO (16:08.59)
2. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (16:10.37 | +1:37)\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. CANYON:Luca SCHWARZBAUER & Sam GAZE (16:14.09 | +5:10)
4. KLIMATIZA ORBEA: David VALERO SERRANO & Marc STUTZMANN (16:14.51 | +5:51)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. BUFF-BH Wout ALLEMAN & Martin STOSEK (16:16.04 | +7:05)<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Elite Women Stage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (2:56.37)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. TH\u00d6MUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (2:56.40 | +2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> Margot MOSCHETTI Claudia PERETTI  (3:00.59 | 4:22)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elite Women GC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. TH\u00d6MUS MAXON SABI SABI: Candice LILL & Alessandra KELLER (14:18.54)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. SHE SENDS FOUNDATION: Kate COURTNEY & Greta SEIWALD (14:23.44 | +4:50)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.  CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB: Hayley PREEN & Haley SMITH (14:50.46 | +31:52)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SPECIAL JERSEYS GC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toyota Mixed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. TEAM 69: Jenny RISSVEDS & Simon ANDREASSEN (18:47.16)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Absa African Men<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. TOYOTA SPECIALIZED IMBUKO: Matthew BEERS & Tristan NORTJE (16:10.37)<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Absa African Women<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. SANI2C EFFICIENT INFINITI: Samantha SANDERS & Bianca HAW (15:10.13)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open Women:<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. JOY RIDE: Jennifer BURTNER & Callah ROBINSON (26:31.50)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open Men:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. COLIBRI CYCLING: Eimantas GUDISKIS & Vladas JURKEVICIUS (18:11.08)\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great Grand Masters Men<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. OTB: Pieter MULLER & Corrie MULLER\u200b (23:17.06)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GIC Grand Masters Women<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. UAG EPIC: Martha KOEKEMOER & Jenny R\u00d6NNGREN (24:25.27)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GIC Grand Masters Men<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. ORBEA FOX FACTORY: Ibon ZUGASTI & Ernesto MENDOZA (18:43.12)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NTT Data Masters Women<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. IGLU THERAPY CHEMCHAMP RACING Juanita Rose MACKENZIE Rouxda GROBLER (23:31.13)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NTT Data Masters Men<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. CZECHROCKETS&SWISSDIESEL Pavel GONDA Tobias Luthi (17:55.34)
 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exxaro Women\u2019s Jersey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. EXXARO MANGANESE LADIES 1: Tsholofelo NKOSI & Bontle PHEPISO (29:55.33)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exxaro Men\u2019s Jersey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. FAIRTREE DP WORLD CANNONDALE 2: Ethan MICHAELS & Damon TERBLANCHE (19:24.08)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To follow the Absa Cape Epic action live, mountain biking fans are encouraged to tune into the Absa Cape Epic\u2019s live broadcast on the Epic Series<\/a> YouTube Channel here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Sam Clark\/Cape Epic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

American Kate Courtney and her Italian partner Greta Seiwald finally secured their first stage win at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic when they won Stage 4 in Greyton on Thursday. The She Sends Foundation duo outmanoeuvred overall leaders Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller to win the sprint to the line in a drama-filled stage that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":75449,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[76,24],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-75443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-absa-cape-epic","tag-cape-epic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75443","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75443"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75443\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75455,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75443\/revisions\/75455"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75443"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=75443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}