Samuel Gaze and Luca Schwarzbauer win a stage 2 of true wear and tear, Valero-Stuzman hold on to the podium in the overall standings

The Absa Cape Epic 2026 experienced its first major long day with a demanding, fast, and relentless stage 2, where wear and punctures were once again the main characters. After a start marked by extreme heat in the prologue and the chaos of stage 1, the race begins to take shape, although the equality among the favorites remains at its peak.

Schwarzbauer and Gaze win stage 2 and tighten the overall standings of the Cape Epic 2026

The stage started at a very high pace on fast tracks that soon took a toll on the peloton. The race broke apart earlier than expected, and by the Ouberg Pass, a strong front group was defined with all the big names: Braidot and Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria), Valero and Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea), Beers and Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko), Rabensteiner and South (Torpado Kenda FSA), Schwarzbauer and Gaze (Canyon), De Cosmo and Dorigoni (Torpado Kenda FSA 2), Alleman and Stosek (Buff-BH), Stiebjahn and Frey (Singer KTM Racing 2), and Botha and Van Zyl (Insect Science | Safari Essence).

As happened in stage 1, mechanical problems once again affected the race. Teams like Buff-BH (Alleman / Stosek) and Torpado Kenda FSA (Rabensteiner / South) had to stop due to punctures, while other riders also lost contact at key moments.

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At the front, the overall leaders, Beers and Nortje, took control, setting a very high pace for much of the day, while the Canyon pair, Schwarzbauer and Gaze, were particularly active after the problems of the previous day.

With 12 kilometers to go, David Valero launched the most serious attack of the day, trying to break the large front group. However, the equality was such that he barely managed to slightly select the group before everything regrouped again.

The stage, marked by a continuously undulating terrain, made it very difficult to create a gap. Everything pointed to a tactical finish, and that’s how it turned out.

The decisive moment came just 3 kilometers from the finish, on an ascending trail where Schwarzbauer and Gaze took the lead. From there, the Canyon pair controlled the front of the race without giving their rivals any chances and took the victory with authority.

Top 6 – Men's Stage 2

1. Schwarzbauer / Gaze (Canyon) – 3:54:55
2. Braidot / Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) +1.8
3. Beers / Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) +4.0
4. Rabensteiner / South (Torpado Kenda FSA) +11.1
5. Azzaro / Zanotti (Origine-Wilier) +11.7
6. Valero / Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea) +12.5

The overall standings tighten

After this stage 2, the overall classification remains extremely tight. Beers and Nortje maintain the lead, but with minimal differences over their pursuers.

Wilier-Vittoria continues to lurk with Braidot and Avondetto, while Valero and Stutzmann remain in the fight, although forced not to lose any more seconds.

Canyon's victory not only puts them in the fight for stages but could also boost their options in the overall standings if they maintain this consistency.

Overall classification after stage 2 (Top 10)

1. Beers / Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) – 8:18:22
2. Braidot / Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) +2
3. Valero / Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea) +28
4. Azzaro / Zanotti (Origine-Wilier) +34
5. Rabensteiner / South (Torpado Kenda FSA) +1:45
6. Schwarzbauer / Gaze (Canyon) +4:53
7. Alleman / Stosek (Buff-BH) +4:56
8. Botha / Van Zyl (Insect Science | Safari Essence) +6:41
9. Becking / Ruijter (Double Dutch) +8:24
10. Sánchez / Morcillo (Scott Calabandida) +9:40