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Hayley Preen and Filippo Colombo take Victory at 2026 UCI Ceder Gravel Race in South Africa

The UCI Gravel World Championships returned to action Saturday with a commanding display from 2025 Cape Epic champion Filippo Colombo, who powered to a solo victory on the challenging 151-kilometer Ceder Gravel Fondo. South African Hayley Preen, the 2025 African Continental Gravel Champion, produced a solo winning ride over the same grueling course.

Hayley Preen and Filippo Colombo take Victory at 2026 UCI Ceder Gravel Race in South Africa

In the first Gravelking UCI Gravel World Series leg in 2026, taking place in Nuwerust Farm in South Africa, 250 riders registered for a challenging race over 151km with 2500m of climbing.
 
After the start at an elevation of 600m, riders quickly entered a first short climb which will spread up the peloton.  The race then steadily headed towards the highest point on course just above 1000m after 38km, followed by a long downhill towards the turning point near the Clanwilliam Dam at an elevation of 100m where riders took a big loop before coming back over the same road with the Uitkyk Pass, a rolling climb with the last 5km a bit steeper towards a second time the peak of the course.  The last 40km was again slightly going down towards the finish in Nuwerust Farm.
 
2025 winner Felix Stehli (SUI) was one of the favorites together with 2025 Cape Epic winner Filippo Colombo.  Also Khomas100 winner Alex Miller from Namibia was at the start. Zanri Rossouw was the best female last year and tried to defend her 25 victory against runner-up Catherine Colyn. Hayley Preen, last year’s winner of the Khomas100 was there to take the win in her homecountry.

Filippo Colombo crossed the finish line in 4:43:21 after a race defined by loose gravel, river crossings, steep climbs and high-speed descents, finishing more than six minutes clear of nearest rivals.

Colombo, 28, of Switzerland, broke away decisively on the latter part of the route and held a relentless pace to deny a chase pack that included last year’s champion Felix Stehli and 2024 South African Gravel Champion Mark Pritzen. “The course demanded respect from start to finish,” Filippo Colombo said. “I felt strong on the climbs and made a move when the road opened up. It’s always special to race in South Africa — the terrain rewards bold riding and smart lines.” Stehli secured second place, with Pritzen rounding out the podium in a race that tested endurance and technical skill in equal measure.

In the women’s event, 27-year-old Hayley Preen of South Africa, the 2025 African Continental Gravel Champion, produced a solo winning ride over the same grueling course. Preen finished in 5:39:00, demonstrating consistent power and technical handling across the demanding sections, including multiple river crossings that reshaped the race dynamics. British rider Lisa Bone took second in 5:42:23, while Russia’s Daria Pravilova claimed third in 5:50:09, confirming a competitive international field and strong regional representation.

In the women’s event, 27-year-old Hayley Preen of South Africa, the 2025 African Continental Gravel Champion, produced a solo winning ride

The Cederberg event also featured a shorter 68-kilometer medio fondo that attracted a deep roster seeking tough but more accessible racing. Netherlands-based Clement De Bruin won the men’s Medio Fondo in 2:28:24, showing speed and endurance over a shortened but still technical course. South African Julia Cass topped the women’s Medio Fondo in 2:52:29, underscoring the depth of local talent and the growing appeal of gravel racing across age groups and disciplines.

2026 UCI Ceder Gravel Race Men Top 10

1 Filippo COLOMBO (#69) 04:43:21
2 Felix STEHLI (#62) 04:49:28
3 Marc PRITZEN (#61) 04:49:28
4 Alex MILLER (#64) 04:56:18
5 Daniel LOUBSER (#67) 05:10:28
6 Keegan TULLIS (#68) 05:20:32
7 David GEORGE (#485) 05:25:07
9 Justin TUCK (#330) 05:30:26
10 Brian BRUMMER (#70) 05:39:28

2026 UCI Ceder Gravel Race Women Top 10

1 Hayley PREEN (#58) 05:39:00
2 Lisa BONE (#56) 05:42:23
3 Daria PRAVILOVA (#53) 05:50:09
4 Michelle GEORGE (#427) 06:19:14
5 Zanri ROSSOUW (#59) 06:36:38
6 Jennifer CLEARY (#50) 06:47:43
7 Ella CORRIGAN (#233) 06:52:24
8 Sanchia MALAN (#54) 06:55:10
9 Gabriela VAN BAALEN (#234) 06:57:53
10 Lianke FOURIE (#57) 07:14:29
 
Link to 2026 UCI Ceder Gravel Race Results: https://results.finishtime.co.za/Results.aspx?CId=35&RId=5601&EId=1

 

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