NATIONAL NEWS - Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) claimed his first stage win of the 2025 Nedbank Gravel Burn on Thursday 30 October, outpacing Germany’s Andreas Seewald (Singer KTM Racing) in the final kilometres of the 137km stage 5 finish atop Swaershoek Pass near Cradock in the Eastern Cape. Simon Pellaud (Tudor Pro Cycling) crossed the line in third.

Pidcock’s victory came after a decisive surge just 4km from the finish. 

“It looked like the easiest stage with only one climb,” he said. “Alistair Brownlee told me to go for it near the end, so I did. Everyone has been saying I should try to win a stage, but the racing here is tough. I’ve been suffering all year!”

Despite the suffering, the British star said he’s relishing the atmosphere at the event. “I’m loving this. The camaraderie, eating together, sitting around the fire at night—it’s really special.”

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Matt Beers (Specialized Factory Racing) retained the overall lead, with Pellaud still in second after another close day of racing. Beers admitted the heat and final climb tested him. 

“Day five is usually my worst in a stage race,” he said. 

“Simon attacked on the climb, and I just tried to hold my pace. I lost about 24 seconds, which isn’t great, but it could’ve been worse. We’re still really close, and it’s going to be tight over the next two stages.”

Behind the main contenders, Lukas Pöstlberger (Rose Racing Circle) and Cameron Wurf kept the tempo high for much of the stage. 

When asked at the finish why he was pushing so hard, Pöstlberger quipped, “If I wasn’t putting that pace down, you guys would’ve been out there another hour!” - earning a beer from Pellaud for his efforts.

With only two stages remaining, Beers holds a narrow lead over Pellaud, setting up a thrilling final weekend as the race heads deeper into the Karoo.

After the heartbreak of stage 4, where a puncture cost her the overall lead, France’s Axelle Dubau-Prevot (Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello) made a confident comeback on Thursday to win stage 5 of the Nedbank Gravel Burn. 

Women's race: Dubau-Prevot bounces back with Stage 5 victory as Moolman-Pasio keeps overall lead

The 137km route from Blaauwater Farm to Merino Farm near Cradock in the Eastern Cape ended with a summit finish up Swaershoek Pass, where Axelle Dubau-Prevot powered clear of the Pro Women’s field to take a well-deserved victory.

Lauren Stephens (Aegis Cycling Foundation) crossed the line in second, with overall leader Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance Soudal) finishing third. Hayley Preen (ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers) and Melisa Rollins (Liv Racing Collective) rounded out the top five. Rollins remains second overall, 4 minutes 20 seconds behind Moolman-Pasio, with Preen holding third in the general classification.

The stage unfolded at a steady pace, with headwinds and crosswinds keeping the peloton together for most of the day. Canada’s Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatly) launched the only major attack around the 110km mark, building a two-minute gap before being caught at the base of the final climb.

“The pace was a little slower than expected,” said Moolman-Pasio. “That’s the nature of gravel racing, we’re all individuals without team tactics. If no one decides to push, it just doesn’t happen.”

Stephens attacked first on the final climb with 10km to go, prompting a strong response from Dubau-Prevot and Moolman-Pasio. 

A minor crash then saw Moolman-Pasio lose momentum while searching for a smoother line, allowing Dubau-Prevot to move ahead. The French rider briefly checked on her rival before being encouraged to continue, ultimately crossing the line solo for her first stage win of the event.

“I felt so good today, maybe too good,” laughed Dubau-Prevot afterwards. 

“After yesterday’s mistake, I decided to focus on riding smart. I’m learning so much from Ashleigh and Lauren about how to race stage events. Yesterday was a big lesson, and today I waited for the right moment.”

With two stages remaining, Moolman-Pasio maintains her overall lead as the race heads into its decisive final weekend in the Karoo.

Amidst tough racing conditions, cyclists are soaking up the beauty of the route with spectacular Karoo scenery and regular sightings of wildlife. 

And sometimes the road gets a bit lonely. The Nedbank Gravel Burn is a wild and remote seven-day journey of dust, dreams and drama.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’