Beers and Dubau-Prévot win Stage 1 at 2025 Gravel Burn
Gravel Burn is a new 7-day, 850-km gravel stage race in South Africa that kicked off on Sunday, October 26. Stage one – from Knysna to Avontuur – of the men’s pro category was won by Matt Beers (Specialized Off-Road – Toyota), while Axelle Dubau-Prévot (Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello) took the top spot in the women’s race.
Beers, the hometown favorite, used his local knowledge to claim the win. In cold, wet, and muddy conditions, Beers out-sprinted Swiss rider Andri Frischknecht (Scott SRAM) and French rider Hugo Drechou (Numéro31.cc / Pinarello) in a tight finish. He made his winning move on the final climbs of Prince Alfred's Pass. In an equally exciting end to the women’s segment, Axelle Dubau-Prévot beat South African Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance Soudal) right near the finish line. Hayley Preen, the current national gravel champion from South Africa, rounded out the podium in third place.
Escape staff and members are on the ground at Gravel Burn and will be reporting from the race throughout the week.
