The 32” MTBs make history at the Cape Epic: Pritzen and Stehli win stage 3 and change the overall standings

The Cape Epic 2026 has found its first major breaking point in the third stage. What until now was a battle of seconds turned into a war of attrition where a long-range attack, the fast terrain, and the accumulation of fatigue blew the race apart. In Greyton, the victory of Marc Pritzen and Felix Stehli not only left an unprecedented image with the 32” in front but also caused a complete turnaround in the overall classification.

The Cape Epic explodes in the queen stage: the 32” are showcased and the general classification goes up in flames

From the start, the pace was high but controlled. A first favorable stretch, with wide tracks and even asphalt sections, allowed the formation of a large front group that included all the favorite teams. As happened in previous days, leaders Matthew Beers and Tristan Nortje took responsibility at the front, well supported by active riders like Marc Pritzen alongside Felix Stehli — drawing attention for their 32-inch Stoll, which is the big debut of this new wheel size — or the always incisive Speed Company of Lukas Baum and Georg Egger, who wanted to be protagonists today after a significant time loss the previous day.

With still more than 100 kilometers ahead, the definitive movement seemed reserved for the final stretch. Meanwhile, the stage was becoming tougher due to accumulation, without major climbs but with constant terrain that forced the riders to maintain tension. Unlike previous days, the extreme heat gave way to more unstable weather, with intermittent rain and muddy areas that made the day even tougher and added uncertainty to the riding.

Incidents and fatigue before the big movement

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The race did not take long to start taking its toll. The Buff-BH team of Wout Alleman and Martin Stosek, already battered in previous days, suffered another puncture that forced them to stop and lose contact at a crucial moment. The winners of stage 2, Sam Gaze and Luca Schwarzbauer, also faced another mechanical issue in a fast section, having to make an extra effort to return to the main group.

Meanwhile, the Klimatiza Orbea team of David Valero and Marc Stutzmann opted for a conservative strategy, always well positioned but avoiding unnecessary risks. Still, Valero had to intervene several times to close small gaps with strong accelerations that highlighted the growing tension in the peloton.

Up front, Speed Company continued to try their luck with repeated attacks, attempting to thin out the group without success, at least until the key moment of the day.

The turning point came around kilometer 90. A fast and favorable stretch was the perfect setting for several of the strongest pairs to coordinate a serious attack. Speed Company, Honeycomb, Wilier-Vittoria, Buff-BH, and Canyon managed to break the race, creating the first major split of the day.

The situation became even more critical when, from that front group, the Honeycomb duo — with Marc Pritzen at the front — launched a new attack that ultimately solidified a solo breakaway. Alongside him, Felix Stehli not only maintained the pace at the front but did so on his striking 32” MTB, becoming one of the day's major protagonists both sportingly and technologically.

The race was completely fragmented with Honeycomb (Pritzen / Stehli) in the lead, a first chasing group with Canyon, Speed Company, Wilier-Vittoria, and Buff-BH about 38 seconds back, and the favorites group with leaders Beers / Nortje and Klimatiza Orbea around 1:30 behind.

With this scenario, the overall classification entered a point of maximum tension. The Wilier-Vittoria pair, situated just 2 seconds from the lead at the start of the day, had a real opportunity to turn the race around.

Aware of the danger, Beers and Nortje decided to attack from their group, trying to reduce the gap with the chasers and, above all, avoid letting the race slip away from them. However, the terrain — on a slight constant uphill and without technical sections that favored explosive differences — played against them, allowing the front groups to maintain their advantage.

Pritzen completes the breakaway and causes a total turnaround in the general classification

The long-range movement ultimately decided the stage and also the overall classification. Marc Pritzen and Felix Stehli confirmed their gamble with an uncontested victory after 4:19:52.9, holding on to the lead until Greyton and delivering one of the most striking performances of this edition, with the added technical feat of doing it on a 32” MTB.

Behind, the chasing group arrived already fragmented. Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) were the fastest in that second tier, finishing at 1:09.8 and securing a key result for the overall. Just a second later, Wout Alleman and Martin Stosek (Buff-BH) crossed the line, while Canyon's Schwarzbauer and Gaze lost a bit more time, finishing at 1:29.0.

The real turning point came with the finish of the leaders until today. Matthew Beers and Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) finished in fifth place at 2:26.1, unable to close the gap in the final stretch despite their offensive attempt. A time loss that, in such a tight overall, proved decisive.

The Klimatiza Orbea team of David Valero and Marc Stutzmann also lost ground in this completely broken race scenario, finishing at 3:13.1, while Double Dutch completed the top 7 at 3:17.0.

Stage 3 Results Elite Men Cape Epic 2026

1. Marc Pritzen / Felix Stehli (Honeycomb 226ers) – 4:19:52.9
2. Luca Braidot / Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) +1:09.8
3. Wout Alleman / Martin Stosek (Buff-BH) +1:09.9
4. Luca Schwarzbauer / Sam Gaze (Canyon) +1:29.0
5. Matthew Beers / Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) +2:26.1
6. David Valero / Marc Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea) +3:13.1
7. Hans Becking / Teus Ruijter (Double Dutch) +3:17.0

The general classification changes hands

The big beneficiary of the day was Wilier-Vittoria. Braidot and Avondetto, who started just 2 seconds from the lead, took advantage of the split to take the lead in the overall classification with a total time of 12:39:27.5.

Beers and Nortje relinquish the leaders' jersey and drop to second place at 1:14.1, a significant turn after having controlled the race since the prologue. The provisional podium is completed by Klimatiza Orbea's Valero and Stutzmann, now at 2:29.8.

Behind, Buff-BH and Canyon consolidate their presence in the top 5 after a very solid day, while Double Dutch climbs positions taking advantage of the widespread fatigue. Much further back, Honeycomb's Pritzen and Stehli, despite the victory, remain affected by previous losses and sit seventh over an hour behind.

Overall classification after stage 3 (Top 7)

1. Luca Braidot / Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) – 12:39:27.5
2. Matthew Beers / Tristan Nortje (Toyota Specialized Imbuko) +1:14.1
3. David Valero / Marc Stutzmann (Klimatiza Orbea) +2:29.8
4. Wout Alleman / Martin Stosek (Buff-BH) +4:54.0
5. Luca Schwarzbauer / Sam Gaze (Canyon) +5:10.8
6. Hans Becking / Teus Ruijter (Double Dutch) +10:29.2
7. Marc Pritzen / Felix Stehli (Honeycomb 226ers) +1:05:14.4