Beers and Dubau-Prévot sign a double and consolidate their leadership in the second stage of the Gravel Burn 2025

The second stage of the Nedbank Gravel Burn 2025, contested between Avontuur and Willowmore, once again had the same protagonists as in the opening day. Matt Beers and Axelle Dubau-Prévot repeated victory in a fast day on the characteristic South African "champagne gravel," consolidating their position as leaders in the overall standings in this new and spectacular stage race created by the founder of the Cape Epic, Kevin Vermaak.

The terrain, much drier than the previous day, allowed for a fast stage, with long stretches of compact gravel and road sections where the favorites rode in a group. However, the calm was broken on the Shallot climb, the decisive ascent of the day, and even a herd of cows crossing the track added a chaotic touch to the spectacle.

Beers wins for the second consecutive day and strengthens his lead

South African Matt Beers (Specialized Off-Road - Toyota) once again demonstrated his dominance and took his second consecutive victory, beating German Lukas Baum (Orbea x Leatt Speed Company) by just one second at the finish line in Willowmore. Swiss rider Simon Pellaud (Tudor Pro Cycling) rounded out the podium after a day of attacks and collaboration between the three.

RECOMENDADO

30-minute roller sessions to improve

The 2026 Vuelta will start at the Monaco Formula 1 circuit

Cycling shorts vs underwear: ultimate guide to not ruining your outings

The Gravel Burn 2025 experiences a demanding premiere with Beers and Dubau-Prévot as winners of stage 1

Cycling can help you fight the effects of the time switch

This protein makes you want (or not) to ride a bike

The trio escaped on the Shallot climb, where Baum set a punishing pace that split the race. Beers and Pellaud managed to catch up, and from there they worked together until the finish line. In the final kilometers, Beers launched his sprint on the final asphalt to claim another victory and extend his lead in the general classification.

“We all collaborated well, but Lukas set a tremendous pace on the climb,” explained Beers at the finish line. “I managed to close the gap and from there we kept the group together. The finish was very fast and technical; winning again gives me a lot of confidence for the upcoming days”.

Top 5 - Stage 2 Men

1. Matt Beers - Specialized Off-Road - Toyota - 2:55:18
2. Lukas Baum - Orbea x Leatt Speed Company - +0:01
3. Simon Pellaud - Tudor Pro Cycling - +0:14
4. Lawrence Naesen - Next Level Racing / Rapha - Orbea - +3:42
5. Marco Willie Joubert - Imbuko ChemChamp Specialized - +3:42

General Classification - Men (after Stage 2)

1. Matt Beers - Specialized Off-Road - Toyota - 5:49:37
2. Simon Pellaud - Tudor Pro Cycling - +1:03
3. Lukas Baum - Orbea x Leatt Speed Company - +1:48
4. Hugo Drechou - Numéro31.cc / Pinarello - +3:59
5. Tristan Nortje - Imbuko ChemChamp - +4:31

Dubau-Prévot hunts down Rollins and maintains a perfect record of victories

In the women's category, Axelle Dubau-Prévot (Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello) once again prevailed in a very close finish, catching up to American Melisa Rollins (Liv Racing Collective) in the final meters of the stage. Canadian Haley Smith (Trek Driftless / MAAP / COROS / The Feed) completed the podium after a grueling day.

The race broke apart again on the Shallot climb, where a group of eight riders took the lead before Rollins and Hayley Preen tried to break away. A puncture took Preen out of the fight for victory, and Dubau-Prévot used her excellent pace in the final kilometers to catch Rollins just before the finish line.

“I didn't know if I could catch her, but I focused on maintaining the pace and the chase was perfect”, declared the French rider, who now has two victories in two days. “The wind made everything tougher, but it was a beautiful and very strategic stage”.

Top 5 - Stage 2 Women

1. Axelle Dubau-Prévot - Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello - 3:41:45
2. Melisa Rollins - Liv Racing Collective - +0:00
3. Haley Smith - Trek Driftless / MAAP / COROS / The Feed - +0:05
4. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio - AG Insurance Soul - +0:12
5. Lauren Stephens - Aegis Cycling Foundation - +0:17

General Classification - Women (after Stage 2)

1. Axelle Dubau-Prévot - Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello - 7:13:15
2. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio - AG Insurance Soul - +0:13
3. Melisa Rollins - Liv Racing Collective - +1:46
4. Hayley Preen - ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers - +2:07
5. Haley Smith - Trek Driftless / MAAP / COROS / The Feed - +6:41

Stage 3, between Graaff Reinet and Blaauwater, will test the riders' endurance with 90 km and 1,450 m of positive elevation. Beers and Dubau-Prévot will start as solid leaders, but with rivals determined to break their dominance in the heart of the Karoo.