Rossouw and Stehli Fastest at UCI Ceder Gravel

In a thrilling display of endurance and skill, gravel cyclists from around the globe converged in the breathtaking Cederberg region of South Africa on Saturday for the UCI Ceder Gravel event

This challenging competition, set against a backdrop of rugged roads and epic climbs, served as a qualifying race for the highly anticipated 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships in the Netherlands.

The main event, a grueling 161-kilometer gran fondo race, saw a fierce battle between two cyclists named Felix. Twenty-four-year-old Felix Stehli from TEAM VORARLBERG in Switzerland emerged victorious, finishing with an impressive time of 4:35:40. Stehli narrowly defeated his fellow competitor, Felix Ritzinger, who crossed the finish line just 26 seconds later at 4:36:06. Marco Joubert rounded out the podium, completing the race in 4:36:16.

In the women's gran fondo category, 37-year-old Zanri Rossouw showcased her formidable talent by clinching the top spot. After a strong performance earlier this year, where she finished third at the South African Time Trial Championships, Rossouw completed the race solo with a time of 5:54:30. Following her was Catherine Colyn, who finished in 5:50:09, and Lize Cornelius, who crossed the line at 6:08:51.

The excitement didn’t end there; the event also featured a shorter 68-kilometer medio fondo race. Luc Desvaux De Marigny claimed victory in this category, clocking in at 2:23:49, while Jenny Ronngren was the fastest woman in the medio fondo, finishing with a time of 2:41:22.

Competitors who finished in the top 25% of their respective age and gender categories earned the coveted qualification for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships, set to take place in the Netherlands next October. 

The Cederberg region provided an unforgettable setting for the event, with its stunning landscapes and challenging terrain pushing cyclists to their limits. The combination of bright sunshine and rugged roads created a perfect backdrop for this exhilarating race, making it a memorable experience for participants and spectators alike.

As the dust settles on this year’s UCI Ceder Gravel, excitement is already building for the next edition, where cyclists will once again gather to test their mettle against the stunning backdrop of South Africa’s natural beauty.

Link to 2025 UCI Ceder Gravel Results: https://results.finishtime.co.za/results.aspx?CId=35&RId=5163&EId=1&dt=2