Control, patience, and final attack: the perfect formula of Lill and Keller to win their fourth stage in the Cape Epic 2026

The Absa Cape Epic 2026 still has a standout name in the women's category: Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller. The duo from Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi once again demonstrated their superiority in the third stage, a long day of 108 kilometers marked by rain, mud, and a race that was much more tactical than usual.

The Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi pair controls the race and wins stage 3 of the Cape Epic 2026

After three consecutive victories that had allowed them to open a lead of over three minutes in the overall standings, the leading pair approached the day with a more conservative focus on a less explosive but equally demanding course.

The profile of the stage, with long rolling sections and fewer decisive points than in previous days, favored a different development. From the first kilometers, a large front group formed with the presence of almost all the favorites.

Unlike previous days, where Lill and Keller had imposed a selective pace from the start, this time they opted for a smarter strategy: controlling the race, following the movements, and avoiding unnecessary risks.

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Courtney tries from the start, but Keller decides and wins again

In that large group were names like Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation), Hayley Preen and Haley Smith (Chemchamp Honeycomb), or the duo of Rosa Van Doorn and Vera Looser (Buff-BH Efficient Infiniti), who were looking to recover after the difficulties of the previous day.

The lack of collaboration at the front and the equality of forces caused the group to grow even more as the kilometers passed, turning the stage into a race of attrition rather than constant attacks.

If the course did not break the race, the conditions did. Intermittent rain and mud transformed the terrain, complicating handling and increasing physical wear.

In these circumstances, effort management and tactical reading became even more important. Lill and Keller, always well-positioned, appeared at the front at key moments to maintain control, without needing to force the situation prematurely.

The race remained grouped until well into the second half, but as is customary in this Cape Epic, the resolution came in the final kilometers.

Taking advantage of a section of singletrack, Lill and Keller launched the decisive attack. A dry and precise move that definitively broke the group and to which Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald could not respond with the same force.

The lack of freshness at that key moment, especially on Seiwald's part, ultimately tipped the balance in favor of the leaders, who opened enough gap to seal the stage.

Fourth victory and more lead in the overall standings

Lill and Keller crossed the finish line in Greyton with a time of 3:58:56.4, adding their fourth consecutive victory in this edition and further reinforcing their leadership.

Behind them, Courtney and Seiwald finished second at 1:21.7, while Van Doorn and Looser completed the podium after a solid day in challenging conditions. Very close behind, Preen and Smith confirmed their progress with a fourth position, followed by the Torpado FSA Kenda.

Stage 3 Results Women Elite Cape Epic 2026

1. Candice Lill / Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi) – 3:58:56.4
2. Kate Courtney / Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) +1:21.7
3. Rosa Van Doorn / Vera Looser (Buff-BH Efficient Infiniti) +4:08.2
4. Hayley Preen / Haley Smith (Chemchamp Honeycomb) +4:10.1
5. Katazina Sosna-Pinele / Giorgia Marchett (Torpado FSA Kenda) +4:10.8

Overall Standings after Stage 3 Women Elite Cape Epic 2026

1. Candice Lill / Alessandra Keller – 11:22:13.8
2. Kate Courtney / Greta Seiwald +4:52.8
3. Hayley Preen / Haley Smith +30:11.0
4. Rosa Van Doorn / Vera Looser +31:02.3
5. Katazina Sosna-Pinele / Giorgia Marchett +31:32.9
6. Margot Moschetti / Claudia Peretti +38:35.8
7. Samantha Sanders / Bianca Haw +42:07.7
8. Jenna Rinehart / Leah Van der Linden +49:22.9
9. Monica Calderon / Tessa Kortekaas +50:55.0
10. Faranak Partoazar / Lejla Njemcevic +1:12:32.0

Far from easing, the race now faces a fourth stage that is short but explosive, which could generate movements again. With only 61 kilometers but the same elevation gain as longer days (1,450 m+), the course concentrates the difficulty in several key points, especially in the second half.

The passage through the Toyota Tough and the chained climbs in the final section will require the leaders to be very attentive, as any mistake can be costly in terrain where attacks can be much more direct and difficult to control.

With Lill and Keller dominating confidently but with no margin to relax, stage 4 presents itself as an ideal day for teams like She Sends Foundation to try to break the race and cut differences in an overall that, although it seems settled, still has much to decide.