Double excitement in stage 4 of the Gravel Burn: Beers extends his lead and Moolman-Pasio takes the lead in the women's general classification

The Gravel Burn 2025 lived a key fourth stage in Blaauwater, with wind, tension, and significant changes in the overall standings. Matt Beers (Specialized Off-Road - Toyota) emerged victorious in a close duel with Simon Pellaud (Tudor Pro Cycling) and slightly extended his lead at the top of the men's classification, while in the women's category Melisa Rollins (Liv Racing Collective) achieved a brilliant victory in a sprint finish and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance Soudal) became the new leader after a day marked by punctures and mechanical issues.

The route, 111 km in a circular format, was the only stage entirely on gravel in the race, passing through the Kom Pass, the highest point of the Gravel Burn.

Beers and Pellaud, a duel that solidifies

From the start, the stage set off at a high pace with a seven-kilometer climb that quickly split the group. American Peter Stetina tried to attack in the first kilometer but was neutralized by Alex Miller (Swatt Club). Subsequently, German Georg Egger took control of the pace in support of his teammate Baum.

The strong headwind limited movements for much of the route. Midway through the stage, a group of nine cyclists remained at the front, with Beers, Pellaud, Drechou, and Naesen among the protagonists. The decisive attack came around kilometer 80 when Pellaud accelerated, and only Beers could follow him.

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"Most of the day was very controlled by the wind," explained Beers. "When the wind turned and became a crosswind, we started to move. I tried to drop Simon at the Kom Pass, I descended full gas, but he is incredibly strong; he resisted all my attacks."

The Swiss rider responded to each attempt, but in the final descent towards Blaauwater, the South African's technique made the difference.

"He asked me if we were going to enter calmly at the end, and I told him no," Beers recounted with laughter. "He attacked again, and I passed him in the descent at over 80 km/h. It was dangerous, but I had to do it. Simon is a rider with WorldTour experience, and it shows: he reads the race and has an incredible endurance capacity."

Pellaud, second in the stage and overall, expressed satisfaction with the result: "I love competing with Matt. It's a very healthy rivalry. I think we are the two strongest in the peloton, and we are proving it."

Top 5 - Stage 4 Men

1. Matt Beers - Specialized Off-Road - Toyota - 3:12:11
2. Simon Pellaud - Tudor Pro Cycling - +0:02
3. Lawrence Naesen - Next Level Racing / Rapha - Orbea - +2:44
4. Marco Joubert - Imbuko ChemChamp Specialized - +2:46
5. Hugo Drechou - Numéro31.cc / Pinarello - +2:47

General Classification - Men (after Stage 4)

1. Matt Beers - Specialized Off-Road - Toyota - 11:45:31
2. Simon Pellaud - Tudor Pro Cycling - +0:57
3. Lukas Baum - Orbea x Leatt Speed Company - +6:21
4. Hugo Drechou - Numéro31.cc / Pinarello - +6:41
5. Tristan Nortje - Imbuko ChemChamp - +7:37

Rollins wins Stage 4 in a sprint finish and Moolman-Pasio takes the lead

The women's race experienced its most eventful day so far. American Melisa Rollins (Liv Racing Collective) claimed victory in a tight sprint against South African Hayley Preen (ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers), after a stage marked by wind, crashes, and several mechanical incidents.

Third was Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance Soudal), who also becomes the new leader of the general classification, taking advantage of Axelle Dubau-Prévot's problems (Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello), a victim of a puncture that forced her to stop and lose several minutes.

"It was a very eventful day," Moolman-Pasio explained. "There were attacks from the beginning, and we all worked well together. Axelle was very strong, but she had very bad luck. It's not the ideal way to take the lead, but that's cycling."

Preen, who suffered another mechanical setback, staged a spectacular comeback.

"I lost the chain just as the group was splitting, but I managed to come back," she recounted. "In the final descent, I attacked from the inside and was close to passing Melisa, but I didn't have space. Still, it's a great result, and I have moved up in the general classification."

Rollins explained that her tactic was to take advantage of the fast descents to make a difference: "I knew the descents would be more decisive than the climbs. I went as fast as possible without risking too much, and when I saw the finish line, I just thought about not repeating what happened in stage 2. This time I was able to withstand the final attack and win."

Top 5 - Stage 4 Women

1. Melisa Rollins - Liv Racing Collective - 3:59:09
2. Hayley Preen - ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers - +0:20
3. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio - AG Insurance Soudal - +0:29
4. Lauren Stephens - Aegis Cycling Foundation - +0:38
5. Clara Koppenburg - +1:18

General Classification - Women (after Stage 4)

1. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio - AG Insurance Soudal - 14:37:22
2. Melisa Rollins - Liv Racing Collective - +1:09
3. Hayley Preen - ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers - +5:01
4. Lauren Stephens - Aegis Cycling Foundation - +7:13
5. Haley Smith - Trek Driftless / MAAP / COROS / The Feed - +7:33

The fifth stage, between Blaauwater and Merino, will see the riders cover 137 km with 1,580 meters of elevation gain, a long and fast day that could be decisive for the general classifications before the queen stage.