Lill & Keller sentence the Cape Epic 2026 after Seiwald's abandonment in stage 6

The 6th stage of the 2026 Women's Cape Epic, featuring a short but very demanding route of 62 km and 1,850 meters of elevation gain, turned out to be decisive not so much for the sporting aspect of the race but for what happened even before it started. Greta Seiwald's withdrawal completely changed the script and left the overall standings open for judgment.

Seiwald's withdrawal leaves the overall standings open for judgment in the Cape Epic

The day was conditioned from the first meters. Greta Seiwald, one of the main protagonists of the race alongside Kate Courtney, could not continue after suffering from the accumulated fatigue of the last few days.

The Italian was very affected after the grueling queen stage, where she already faced mechanical problems and extreme conditions in the rain. During the night, she fell ill and, although she started, she was forced to withdraw after just a few meters.

 

 

 

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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

Her withdrawal leaves the only pair that had managed to put pressure on the leaders throughout the week without options. Nevertheless, Courtney continued solo, aiming to complete the race, although already out of the team classification.

It is worth noting that this duo was formed at the last minute after Melissa Rollins' withdrawal, and still managed to achieve a stage victory and several second places, being the only ones capable of challenging Keller and Lill's dominance.

Without their main rivals in the race, Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller imposed their pace from the start. On a very explosive route, with constant changes of pace and sections of singletrack, they controlled the stage without taking unnecessary risks.

The pair from Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi crossed the finish line clearly, adding another victory and further extending their lead in the overall standings.

Results Stage 6 Cape Epic 2026 Elite Women

1. Candice Lill / Alessandra Keller (THÖMUS MAXON SABI SABI) – 2:56:08
2. Margot Moschetti / Claudia Peretti (SYMBTECH.NET) +2:47
3. Hayley Preen / Haley Smith (CHEMCHAMP HONEYCOMB) +5:01
4. Monica Calederon / Tessa Kortekaas (MASSI ISB SPORT) +5:44
5. Katazina Sosna-Pinele / Giorgia Marchetti (TORPADO FSA KENDA) +9:35

A completely decided overall

The overall classification is completely resolved with one day to go. The more than 48-minute lead of Lill and Keller over their new pursuers reflects the absolute dominance they have exercised since the prologue, where they already began to mark differences.

The withdrawals of Courtney and Seiwald eliminate the only real pressure point on the leadership, leaving the last day as a formality to consolidate a victory that, barring unforeseen circumstances, is already definitive.

Overall after Stage 6 Cape Epic 2026 Elite Women

1. Candice Lill / Alessandra Keller – 21:44:11
2. Preen / Smith +48:25
3. Sosna-Pinele / Marchetti +1:00:39
4. Moschetti / Peretti +1:07:48
5. Calederon / Kortekaas +1:20:50