Dubau-Prevot and Beers win inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn Stage Race

Axelle Dubau-Prevot and Matthew Beers won the inaugural 2025 Nedbank Gravel Burn, a grueling seven-day gravel stage race across South Africa. Their victories marked a historic moment in this first-of-its-kind pro-am event.

French Women’s Champion Axelle Dubau-Prevot (Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello) pulled off a dramatic comeback in Stage 7

The Nedbank Gravel Burn is a 800 km, 7-day gravel stage race on South Africa’s Western and Eastern Cape, including the Great Karoo. This was the first true pro-am gravel stage race globally, blending elite and amateur competition.

The route featured diverse terrain: lush forests, steep mountain passes, and desert plains. The race drew attention for its challenging conditions—cold, rain, wind, and heat—and its scenic beauty

The inaugural edition hosted 500 riders from 28 countries, including Olympic and world champions.

French Women’s Champion Axelle Dubau-Prevot (Numéro 31 par Café du Cycliste / Pinarello) pulled off a dramatic comeback in Stage 7, overturning an 8:54 deficit. Climbed from fifth in the general classification to first overall. Her final stage win sealed the overall victory, showcasing grit and resilience.

American Melisa Rollins (Liv Racing Collective) finished second overall, with South African National Gravel Champion Hayley Preen (ChemChamp Honeycomb 226ers) finishing third at the inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn. Overnight leader Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance Soudal), who started Stage 7 with a strong GC lead of 4:20 over Rollins, eventually finished fifth overall due to mechanical issues on the day.

Sensing that the overall win might be in her grasp, Dubau-Prevot attacked with 30km to go, riding solo all the way to the finish line to claim the stage ahead of Stephens and the overall title ahead of second-placed Rollins.

“It was a long time alone. But I had already said to Lauren this morning that I was prepared to die on the bike to get the win, so I just put my head down and pedalled. I am so happy to win, especially after what happened on Stage 4 with my puncture. I really thought it was all over, but I rode for myself and in the end it paid off.”

Matt Beers (Specialized Off-Road Toyota) won the inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn finishing at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, just north of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. After seven days of racing that threw everything from hail to high temperatures to extreme wind at the riders, Beers managed to outlast his challengers with a powerful and precise performance. He walks away with a new title under his belt and $18 000 (approximately R312 000) in prize money.

Beers won three of six stages, securing a strong lead early on Finished second in the final stage, confirming his overall dominance. Known for his powerful climb up Prince Alfred’s Pass in Stage 1.

“The Nedbank Gravel Burn definitely lived up to expectation,” said a champagne-soaked Beers on the finish line. “It was rough and tough, and throughout the week we dealt with everything from wild wind to hail and heat… Stage 6 was neutralised due to the extreme weather, so I am glad we got to race today and finish on a high.”