Pidcock and Dubau-Prévot find victory at Gravel Burn stage 5
Five days in, and the inaugural Gravel Burn stage race in South Africa continues to deliver surprises across the professional men's and women's fields. Stage 5, which traversed 137km from Blaauwater Farm to Merino Farm, gave Olympic champion Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) his first stage win. He attacked late on the final climb of Swaershoek Pass to take victory ahead of Andreas Seewald (Singer KTM Racing) and Simon Pellaud (Tudor Pro Cycling).
Matt Beers (Specialized Off-Road Toyota) retained his overall lead, though his advantage over Pellaud has narrowed to just 33 seconds with just two stages remaining.
Pro Men General Classification after Stage 5
- 1 Matthew Beers – Specialized Off-Road Toyota – 15:46:42
- 2 Simon Pellaud – Tudor Pro Cycling – +0:33
- 3 Hugo Drechou – Numéro31.cc / Pinarello – +6:42
- 4 Lukas Baum – Orbea x Leatt Speed Company – +8:28
- 5 Tristan Nortje – Imbuko ChemChamp – +9:19
In the pro women's group, Axelle Dubau-Prevot (Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello) returned to to the top step on Stage 5, powering away on the final climb ahead of Lauren Stephens (Aegis Cycling Foundation).
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance Soudal) finished third on the day and continues to lead the Pro Women’s general classification, with Melisa Rollins (Liv Racing Collective) and Hayley Preen (ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers) completing the top three overall.
Pro Women General Classification after Stage 5
- 1 Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio – AG Insurance Soudal – 19:39:21
- 2 Melisa Rollins – Liv Racing Collective – +4:20
- 3 Hayley Preen – ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers – +6:31
- 4 Lauren Stephens – Aegis Cycling Foundation – +7:01
- 5 Axelle Dubau-Prevot – Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello – +8:54
