Braidot and Avondetto win the queen stage of the 2026 Cape Epic, while Valero and Marc Stuzman return to the podium in the overall standings

The Absa Cape Epic 2026 has reached its most critical point with a fifth stage marked from the start by a high pace, tactical movements, and a radical change in conditions. The stage between Greyton and Stellenbosch, with 134 kilometers and 2,750 meters of elevation gain, quickly confirmed its role as the queen stage of the race.

Valero Takes the Lead in the Rain on the Queen Stage of Cape Epic 2026

The race had barely been underway for half an hour when the first major move of the day occurred. Matthew Beers and Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko), determined to regain the overall lead, launched an attack in a fast section alongside SpeedCompany (Lukas Baum and Georg Egger) and Honeycomb 226ers (Marc Pritzen and Felix Stehli).

However, the terrain did not favor differences, and the group of favorites reacted quickly. Shortly after, a block of about 13 pairs was rolling compactly again, while behind, just a few seconds back, there was a chasing group led by David Valero and Marc Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea).

As the kilometers passed, the script changed. The clouds covered the route, and the threat of rain became a reality that complicated the terrain.

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In this context, the 7C-Pedregal pair, formed by Luis Mejía and Keyron Solís, staged one of the most striking moves of the day with a solo attack that allowed them to open a gap and temporarily lead the stage. A new display of combativeness after their viral episode days earlier when they had to complete a stage sharing a bike due to a breakdown.

 

 

 

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However, their adventure was neutralized by the main group, where Canyon and SpeedCompany took control of the pace.

With 80 kilometers to go, the race already had a more defined structure. At the front was a group of eight teams with all the favorites: Beers and Nortje, Braidot and Avondetto, Schwarzbauer and Gaze, Alleman and Stosek, Mejía and Solís, Joubert and Stedman, Becking and Ruijter, and Stiebjahn alongside Frey.

Behind, about 20 seconds back, Valero and Stutzmann led a chasing group that also included teams like Torpado Kenda FSA, Scott Cala Bandida, Metallurgica Veneta MTB, and Klimatiza Orbea 2.

At 70 kilometers to go, Simone Avondetto had to stop due to a mechanical problem with the transmission. Luca Braidot chose to stay at the front while his teammate resolved the issue and quickly returned to the main group, avoiding greater losses in the overall standings.

Shortly after, the stage changed completely. The rain intensified, and the terrain transformed into a true battlefield, with muddy climbs and increasingly technical and slippery descents.

In that scenario and with more than four hours of racing, Valero took the lead in the race and left a small group at the front with David Valero and Marc Stutzmann taking the initiative, closely followed by Beers and Nortje and the leaders Braidot and Avondetto.

Behind, Canyon lost ground after an apparent physical drop from Schwarzbauer, a move that had direct consequences in the fight for the overall and opened the door for Klimatiza Orbea to get back into the podium fight.

With 15 kilometers to go, Valero was still in front leading the long descent after the most demanding climb of the day, trying to break the race definitively. However, neither Wilier-Vittoria nor Specialized gave in, maintaining equality among the three teams.

The tension was at its peak in the final kilometers. Just 3 kilometers from the finish, the Wilier-Vittoria pair launched an aggressive overtaking to take the lead, but in that same move, one of their riders fell, nearly taking David Valero down with him.

Despite the scare, the race was resolved in a long and very demanding sprint after more than five hours of effort. In that finish, Braidot and Avondetto managed to open a few decisive meters to take the stage victory, with Valero and Stutzmann crossing the finish line in second place and Beers and Nortje completing the podium.

Stage 5 Results (Top 3)

1. Braidot / Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) – 5:09:51
2. Valero / Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea) +8
3. Beers / Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) +12

The Overall Standings Solidify and Valero Enters the Podium

The result reinforces the leadership of Wilier-Vittoria, which emerges strengthened from the toughest stage of the week. Behind, Toyota Specialized Imbuko remains in second place, while Klimatiza Orbea takes a key step and rises to third place in the overall standings after a very solid performance in extreme conditions.

Overall Standings After Stage 5 (Top 3)

1. Braidot / Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) – 21:18:51
2. Beers / Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) +1:49
3. Valero / Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea) +5:59

After the queen stage, the race enters its final stretch with clearer but still open differences in the fight for the podium. Wilier-Vittoria has shown solidity at the crucial moment, but behind both Specialized and Klimatiza Orbea remain in a position to apply pressure in the remaining stages.