Photo via Cyclingnews

Gravel Burn sends competitors across the Great Karoo of South Africa past dazzles of zebras and towers of giraffes - Gallery

Nele Laing of Canyon DT Swiss ATR dominated the women’s overall classification at the Nedbank Gravel Burn, a grueling seven-day gravel race spanning 750 kilometers across South Africa’s arid Great Karoo region. The event, known for its extreme terrain—including vast savannahs, deserts, and elevation gains totaling 8,500 meters—culminated in a tightly contested men’s race, where Matt Beers of Toyota Specialized secured his second consecutive title despite not winning a single stage.

The final two days saw strategic racing as competitors navigated washed-out roads and unpredictable wildlife encounters, with giraffes and zebras adding to the race’s rugged charm. Laing’s victory marked a standout season for her Canyon x DT Swiss All Terrain Racing team, while Beers’ consistent performances held off challenges from Filippo Colombo and Tristan Nortje, who remained close contenders throughout the week.

Daily stage wins were spread across five women and six men, with each finish line marked by a distinctive orange windmill along the remote course stretching from Graaff-Reinet to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

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