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

The women's race of the Cape Epic 2026 continues to have a very clear script after two stages: Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi) dominate with authority, although in this stage 2 they had to respond to the offensive strategy of Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation), who intensified the race from the start.

Keller-Seiwald finish the job and sign a three out of three in a stage 2 marked by Courtney's attack

After a prologue where they already marked differences under extreme heat and a stage 1 controlled with solvency, today's stage changed the race's rhythm. Courtney decided to attack from the first kilometers, imposing a high pace for much of the route and preventing the stage from developing conservatively.

This approach quickly reduced the race to a head-to-head between the two major teams: Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi and She Sends Foundation. Both pairs rode together for practically the entire stage, with neither able to open clear gaps despite the accumulated fatigue.

The outcome came in the final stretch. It was then that Alessandra Keller decided to change the pace, launching an attack that proved decisive. Lill and Keller managed to drop Courtney and Seiwald in the last kilometers and headed towards a new victory, achieving an undeniable full house so far in the race.

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Courtney and Seiwald, who had been the protagonists for much of the day, crossed the finish line in second place, 37 seconds behind, while the podium was completed by Sosna-Pinele and Marchet (Torpado FSA Kenda) over ten minutes later, reflecting the significant difference that the top two pairs are making.

Results stage 2 Cape Epic 2026 Women Elite (Top 5)

1. Lill / Keller (Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi) – 3:30:00
2. Courtney / Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) +37
3. Sosna-Pinele / Marchet (Torpado FSA Kenda) +10:42
4. Preen / Smith (ChemChamp Honeycomb) +10:43
5. Sanders / Haw (Sani2C Efficient Infiniti) +12:48

Overall: solid dominance of Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi

After this second stage, the overall standings begin to open up. Lill and Keller reinforce their leadership with three consecutive victories (prologue + stage 1 + stage 2) and now hold a significant advantage.

Overall women's classification after stage 2 (Top 5)

1. Lill / Keller – 7:23:17
2. Courtney / Seiwald +3:31
3. Moschetti / Peretti +25:03
4. Preen / Smith +26:00
5. Van Doorn / Looser +26:54

The battle for the overall seems focused on two teams, but with differences already exceeding three minutes, while behind, the fight for the podium opens up among several pairs separated by wider margins.

The women's race will now face a very different stage 3, with 108 kilometers and 1,450 meters of positive elevation between Bonnievale and Greyton. The profile outlines a less explosive day than today, but much more tactically open, with long rolling sections, constant climbs, and several points where maintaining speed will be key. In this scenario, the control that Lill and Keller have exercised so far may be more challenged if Courtney and Seiwald manage to impose a high pace from afar again, in terrain that favors sustained efforts and where any distraction can open significant gaps.