Cape Pioneer podium place follows resilient Stage 3 ride

Cycle Nation Enza Construction’s Rachel Seaman and Bianca Botha moved into the Cape Pioneer podium positions after Stage 3 of the 2026 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, on Thursday, 24 September.

The pair now sit third overall in the UCI Women’s race after another composed ride through the Klein Karoo. Their latest performance continued a strong response to a difficult start to the five-day race.

Stage 3 covered 92 kilometres from Louvain to Langenhoven Gimnasium in Oudtshoorn. The route marked the midpoint of the race and included 1 400 metres of climbing.

Riders faced sustained ascents, rolling terrain and technical Klein Karoo tracks. The stage again tested pacing, recovery and teamwork after two demanding opening days.

At the front of the race, Samantha Sanders and Sarah Maré maintained their perfect stage record. The Efficient Infiniti Insure team took a third consecutive victory in 3:37:07.

Hollard Summerplace Racing’s Chloé Hopf and Lilian Baber finished second, 4 minutes and 24 seconds down. Seaman and Botha completed the stage podium in third place.

The Cycle Nation pair crossed the line in 3:53:04. They finished 15 minutes and 56 seconds behind Sanders and Maré.

Cycle Nation recover after difficult opening day

The result added another important step in Seaman and Botha’s race turnaround. Botha struggled with illness during Stage 1, which put the team under pressure early.

She recovered strongly on Stage 2, where she and Seaman rode to third on the stage. That effort kept them in contention during a crucial phase of the race.

Before the start of Stage 3, Safari Essence Titan Racing’s Danielle du Toit and Roxanne Kemp withdrew. Their exit moved Cycle Nation Enza Construction into third on the general classification.

Seaman and Botha could not match the climbing pace of the two leading teams on the opening ascent. They then managed their effort through the rest of the day and protected their overall position.

Cycle Nation Team Manager Lincoln King said the pair had shown “great resolve” across the last two stages. He noted their Stage 1 setback, then pointed to consecutive third-place stage finishes as proof of their character.

King said two difficult stages remain, making momentum and a strong finish the team’s immediate focus.

Cape Pioneer podium battle heads toward Stage 4

Sanders and Maré now lead the UCI Women’s general classification with a total time of 11:03:23. Hopf and Baber hold second overall at 11:32:41, 29 minutes and 18 seconds behind.

Seaman and Botha sit third overall on 12:50:50. They trail the race leaders by 1 hour, 47 minutes and 27 seconds.

The gaps to the top two teams remain large. Even so, Cycle Nation Enza Construction have turned a difficult opening stage into consecutive podium rides.

Stage 4 will bring another stern test over 96 kilometres. The route includes approximately 1 100 metres of climbing through rugged Klein Karoo terrain.

Rocky, rutted dual tracks will add technical pressure. Expected temperatures in the 30s will also challenge riders already carrying three days of racing.

With two stages remaining, Seaman and Botha will aim to defend third overall. They will also look to extend the momentum built across Stages 2 and 3.

UCI Women’s Stage 3 results

• 1. Efficient Infiniti Insure: Samantha Sanders and Sarah Maré – 3:37:07
• 2. Hollard Summerplace Racing: Chloé Hopf and Lilian Baber – 3:41:31 (+4:24)
• 3. Cycle Nation Enza Construction: Rachel Seaman and Bianca Botha – 3:53:04 (+15:56)

UCI Women’s general classification after Stage 3

• 1. Efficient Infiniti Insure: Samantha Sanders and Sarah Maré – 11:03:23
• 2. Hollard Summerplace Racing: Chloé Hopf and Lilian Baber – 11:32:41 (+29:18)
• 3. Cycle Nation Enza Construction: Rachel Seaman and Bianca Botha – 12:50:50 (+1:47:27)

Related Cycle Nation stories

• Seaman and Botha rebound for Cape Pioneer Stage 2 podium
• Cape Pioneer Stage 1: Pritzen and Stehli seize yellow
• Rachel Seaman battles crash and mechanical at Ford Trailseeker finale
• Lisa Bone wins Race to the Sea after final-climb duel with Hayley Preen
• Trailseeker Die Bosveld: Seaman Takes First Series Podium as Cycle Nation Places Two in Top Five