Rachel Seaman and Bianca Botha secured a Cape Pioneer podium for Cycle Nation Enza Construction after five demanding days at the 2026 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen.

The pair finished third overall in the UCI Women’s competition after Saturday’s final stage near Oudtshoorn. The closing day covered 66 kilometres through the Chandelier Game Reserve, with 1 350 metres of climbing. Wet and muddy conditions added another challenge to an already testing race.

Samantha Sanders and Sarah Maré of Efficient Infiniti Insure completed a commanding week at the front of the women’s field. They won all five stages and claimed the overall title in 18:11:51.

Hollard Summerplace Racing’s Chloé Hopf and Lilian Baber placed second on the final stage and second overall. Seaman and Botha finished third on Stage 5 and confirmed the final place on the UCI Women’s general classification podium.

Cape Pioneer podium built on persistence

Cycle Nation Enza Construction’s result came after a week of repeated setbacks. Botha battled illness from the opening stage, which immediately put the team under pressure.

She recovered enough to help the pair finish third on Stages 2 and 3. More problems followed on Stage 4, when a dropped chain and a puncture cost valuable time.

By the final day, Botha was still managing a stomach bug. She said after the finish that the previous two days had been rough. She also credited Seaman, saying her teammate dragged her through the difficult moments.

With their podium position established, Seaman and Botha focused on finishing safely on the final stage. They crossed the line in 3:49:46, placing third on the day. Their final overall time was 21:11:13.

For Seaman, the week became about more than the final result. She said the race taught them to keep pushing through bad moments and continue fighting.

King praises resilience after difficult five days

Cycle Nation Team Manager Lincoln King said the result reflected the character shown by both riders across the five stages.

King said the podium carried extra meaning because the race was far from straightforward for Seaman and Botha. He pointed to illness, the dropped chain and the puncture as key moments that tested the pair.

He added that the team sometimes had to focus less on chasing a result and more on getting through each day. What impressed him most was their commitment to each other throughout the race.

King said they kept turning difficult situations into chances to keep their campaign alive. He said that resilience ultimately helped them reach the podium.

He also said the Cape Pioneer provided valuable experience for both riders. Stage racing can expose weaknesses quickly, he said, but it also reveals what riders can do when plans fall apart.

King said Seaman and Botha showed real resolve after a difficult start. They produced strong rides in the middle of the race, then fought through the final two stages while Botha remained unwell.

UCI Women’s Stage 5 results

• 1. Efficient Infiniti Insure: Samantha Sanders and Sarah Maré – 3:20:57
• 2. Hollard Summerplace Racing: Chloé Hopf and Lilian Baber – 3:32:27, +12:30
• 3. Cycle Nation Enza Construction: Rachel Seaman and Bianca Botha – 3:49:46, +29:49

UCI Women’s final general classification

• 1. Efficient Infiniti Insure: Samantha Sanders and Sarah Maré – 18:11:51
• 2. Hollard Summerplace Racing: Chloé Hopf and Lilian Baber – 18:59:24, +47:33
• 3. Cycle Nation Enza Construction: Rachel Seaman and Bianca Botha – 21:11:13, +2:59:22

The result closed a challenging but rewarding Cape Pioneer campaign for Cycle Nation Enza Construction.

Related Cycle Nation stories

• Seaman and Botha Keep Cape Pioneer Podium Hopes Alive After Stage 4 Trouble
• Seaman and Botha climb to Cape Pioneer podium spot after Stage 3
• 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