The Gravel Burn 2025 experiences a demanding premiere with Beers and Dubau-Prévot as winners of stage 1

The first stage of the Nedbank Gravel Burn 2025, held this Sunday between Knysna and Avontuur, did not give any respite to the more than 500 participants. The cold, rain, and mud marked the beginning of this new stage race created by Kevin Vermaak, founder of the Cape Epic. In a day of 84 km and over 2,000 meters of elevation gain on the Prince Alfred's Pass tracks, South Africans were the protagonists, but the glory was shared between Matt Beers and Axelle Dubau-Prévot, winners in the male and female categories, respectively.

Matt Beers imposes his law at home

The South African Matt Beers (Specialized Off-Road - Toyota) took the victory in the first stage after a tight finish in which he beat the Swiss Andri Frischknecht (Scott SRAM) by one second. The Frenchman Hugo Drechou (Numéro31.cc / Pinarello) completed the podium of a day marked by mud and cold.

Beers, who grew up in the Garden Route region, took advantage of his knowledge of the terrain and his recent good form, after winning The Big Sugar Classic in the U.S. just two weeks ago, to dominate in the decisive sections. With 15 km to go, he launched his attack on the slopes of the Prince Alfred's Pass, taking Drechou and Frischknecht with him. In the final descent towards Avontuur, his technique and power earned him the leader's jersey.

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"It's very special to win the first stage of a new event. I felt it was my duty to give everything to be the first wearer of the leader's jersey," explained Beers at the finish line. "The conditions were very tough, but I knew the course well and knew where to attack. I couldn't see the finish line well at the end, but I'm happy with this victory."

Behind, Drechou admitted the superiority of the South African: "We were all waiting for that last climb. When it arrived, Matt picked up the pace and was simply stronger. But there are six days left and we all want to leave our mark."

Top 5 - Stage 1 Gravel Burn 2025 Men's Elite

1. Matt Beers - Specialized Off-Road - Toyota - 2:54:19
2. Andri Frischknecht - Scott SRAM - 2:54:20
3. Hugo Drechou - Numéro31.cc / Pinarello - 2:54:20
4. Tristan Nortje - Imbuko ChemChamp - 2:55:07
5. Simon Pellaud - Tudor Pro Cycling - 2:55:08

Axelle Dubau-Prévot wins the sprint against Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio

In the women's category, Frenchwoman Axelle Dubau-Prévot (Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello) narrowly beat South African Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance Soul) after an intense battle in the rain. The current national gravel champion, Hayley Preen, completed the podium.

The day was marked by an initial group of eight riders that broke up halfway through the stage. In the final ascent to the Prince Alfred's Pass, Moolman-Pasio set the pace, but Dubau-Prévot waited for her moment and launched her attack a few meters from the finish line, managing to maintain the advantage until the end.

"It was a matter of waiting for the right moment," explained Dubau-Prévot at the finish line, covered in mud. "Ashleigh is an incredible climber, so I knew I had to time the attack well. In the end, I made it, but I told her before the sprint that I respected her so much that I didn't want to risk it, and she replied: 'don't be silly, we have to race'."

Preen, on the other hand, praised the toughness and atmosphere of the day: "It was a tremendous battle in the last 10 km. The conditions were brutal, but this is what we came here to do. The level is very high, and every day will be a challenge."

Top 5 - Stage 1 Gravel Burn 2025 Women's Elite

1. Axelle Dubau-Prévot - Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello - 3:31:30
2. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio - AG Insurance Soul - 3:31:31
3. Hayley Preen - ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers - 3:33:16
4. Melisa Rollins - Liv Racing Collective - 3:33:16
5. Haley Smith - Trek Driftless / MAAP / COROS / The Feed - 3:38:06

The second stage of the Nedbank Gravel Burn will take the riders from Avontuur to Willowmore tomorrow, with 108 km and 1,150 meters of elevation gain on a more rolling but equally demanding terrain.