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CYCLING NEWS - Matt Beers (Toyota Specialized) and Nele Laing (Canyon DT Swiss ATR) emerged as the overall winners of the 2026 Nedbank Gravel Burn, with both riders securing their titles after a demanding final stage through the Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
Beers finished sixth on Stage 7 to claim his second consecutive men's title, while Laing finished second on the final stage to complete a week-long campaign in the Orange Jersey.
The shortened final stage covered 59.5km, with 1 050m of climbing, as competitors tackled the gravel roads around Shamwari in a final battle for overall positions.
French rider Hugo Drechou (Gravel Nation) claimed his first stage victory of the event in the Pro Men’s race, outsprinting the 13-rider leading group to take the win in 1:37:13. Travis Stedman (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) finished second, with Filippo Colombo (SCOTT-SRAM) third, both one second behind.
Beers crossed the line sixth, securing the overall title in 17:47:42, just 32 seconds ahead of Colombo. Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) finished third overall, 59 seconds behind Beers.
Colombo had entered the final stage just 32 seconds behind the South African and launched repeated attacks in an attempt to overturn the deficit. However, Beers responded to each move, protecting his lead through the final kilometres.
The race also highlighted the importance of teamwork, with Toyota Specialized Imbuko teammate Inus du Preez helping Nortje return to the leading group after he was dropped during the stage.
Beers described this year's racing as more intense and tactical, acknowledging Colombo's challenge throughout the week.
“I love stage racing and I love gravel, so this suits me. I had a really lucky week and it was such a close race. Racing abroad is always really hard, but racing at home on a big stage like this is great,” said Beers.
In the Pro Women’s race, Laing successfully defended her overall lead after entering the final stage 56 seconds ahead of closest rival Hayley Preen (ChemChamp Honeycomb).
American rider Alexis Skarda (SCOTT-SRAM) claimed the final stage victory after attacking in the closing kilometres and holding off the chasing group to finish in 1:58:39.
Laing crossed the line second, 48 seconds behind Skarda, while Preen finished third, a further nine seconds back.
Laing's second-place finish secured the overall title in 21:41:50, with Preen finishing second overall in 21:42:55. Clara Marie Koppenburg (Tudor Pro Cycling) completed the podium in third place, 4:28 behind Laing.
The final stage also saw Preen secure the Pro Women’s Toyota Power Climber Jersey after recording the fastest time on the day's Toyota Power Climb.
Laing said she had felt the pressure going into the final stage but was pleased to finish the event with both the overall title and her team's support.
“This was my first gravel stage race, and my first stage race this long. Being here in this beautiful environment in South Africa is special, and being here with my whole team was the best way to end the season,” she said.
Preen, meanwhile, finished the event with five podium finishes across the seven stages, as well as stage victories and the Toyota Power Climber Jersey.
Nickolas Zukowsky (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling) retained the men's Toyota Power Climber Jersey despite recording only the fifth-fastest time on the final climb. His accumulated advantage from earlier stages was enough to secure the classification.
Preen claimed the corresponding women's jersey after a week-long contest with Laing.
Toyota Specialized Imbuko won the Pro Men’s team classification with 125 points, while Canyon DT Swiss ATR took the Pro Women’s team title with 140 points.
The 2026 event concluded the second edition of the Nedbank Gravel Burn, a gravel stage race that takes riders across the Great Karoo and into South Africa's wildlife country.
Pro Women
Pro Women
Pro Men – Winners
Toyota Specialized Imbuko | 125 points
Pro Women – Winners
Canyon DT Swiss ATR | 140 points
Cyclists interested in taking part in the next edition of the Nedbank Gravel Burn can secure their entries from 5 November 2026.
The 2027 event will run over six days, one day shorter than the previous two editions.
The all-inclusive gravel stage race caters for both professional and amateur riders, with standard entry packages including accommodation at the Burn Camps, three meals a day, daily recovery sessions, bike washing and secure storage, marked routes, medical support and race logistics.
More information and entries are available at www.gravel-burn.com.
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