Marzaan Mellett won the women’s 100km Free State Challenge in Welkom on Saturday, 10 October 2026. Cycle Nation split the race open almost from the start.
Mellett clocked 2:32:46 after outsprinting Madelaine le Roux at the finish. The pair had spent more than 90 kilometres off the front.
Lisa Bone completed the podium for Cycle Nation in third place, finishing in 2:35:57. She arrived two seconds ahead of Lucy Young.
Free State Challenge attack starts early
Cycle Nation began its race plan after roughly three kilometres. Carmen Luckemeyer launched the first move and forced an immediate response.
Magda Nieuwoudt closed that attack, but Bone countered straight away. The peloton had to chase again before Mellett made her own move.
Luckemeyer attacked again as the pace stayed high. The repeated surges stopped the bunch from settling into a steady rhythm.
On about the fifth or sixth attack, Mellett finally went clear with Le Roux. Only eight kilometres had passed, yet the decisive break had formed.
Bone shapes the chase behind Mellett
The chasing riders worked hard for the next 40 kilometres. Bone marked the moves and kept Cycle Nation represented in the pursuit.
By halfway, Mellett and Le Roux had opened a gap of one minute and 25 seconds. A strong tailwind later helped the leaders extend their advantage.
Bone remained in the chase with Young and Nieuwoudt. With about 40 kilometres left, Bone attacked again and distanced Nieuwoudt.
That move reduced the chase to Bone and Young. Bone then held her place at the head of the pursuit toward the finish.
Mellett wins the sprint after 90 kilometres clear
At the front, Mellett and Le Roux continued to cooperate. Their lead eventually grew to about three minutes over the chasers.
The win came down to a two-rider sprint after more than 90 kilometres in the breakaway. Mellett produced the stronger finish and won by two seconds.
Bone’s third place gave Cycle Nation two riders on the podium. Luckemeyer, whose early attacks shaped the race, finished in 2:46:21.
Women’s 100km results
- 1. Marzaan Mellett (Cycle Nation), 2:32:46
- 2. Madelaine le Roux, 2:32:48
- 3. Lisa Bone (Cycle Nation), 2:35:57
- 4. Lucy Young, 2:35:59
- 5. Magda Nieuwoudt, 2:37:41
Cycle Nation adds another 2026 win
Cycle Nation Team Manager Lincoln King said the objective was to race aggressively and create opportunities rather than wait for the finish.
King credited Luckemeyer for shaping the early race and Bone for her attacking and chase control. He said Mellett finished the job with a strong sprint.
He also highlighted the collective performance, saying Everyone contributed. The first and third places rewarded that work.
For Mellett, the victory continues a strong run across road and gravel racing. She recently won the Spring Fast One Gravel Challenge and Brits Gravel Grinder.
Bone added another podium to a 2026 season that includes Cape Town Cycle Tour victory. She also represented South Africa at the UCI Road World Championships in Montréal.
The Free State Challenge adds another win to Cycle Nation’s 2026 campaign. The team continues racing across road, gravel and mountain bike disciplines.
Related Cycle Nation stories
- Lisa Bone Reflects on UCI Road World Championships on Goeiemôre, Good Morning
- Marzaan Mellett Controls Elite Women’s Race at Brits Gravel Grinder
- Evenepoel wins photo finish to become European road champion
- Brandon McNulty ends US wait with solo world title ride in Montréal
- Marzaan Mellett Gravel Victory Secures Gauteng Elite Women’s Title