Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) secured their first stage win of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic, outmanoeuvring overall leaders Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller to win the sprint to the line, after 61km with 1450m of climbing in Greyton on Thursday, 19 March, 2026.
She Sends Foundation’s Courtney and Seiwald finished in 2:56.37, with Lill and Keller just two seconds behind.
The stage 4 winners had finished second narrowly in every stage until Thursday, and relied on a calculated tactical approach to finally break the leading pair’s winning run. Greta Seiwald accelerated clear on tight singletrack approaching the finish while Courtney held up the orange jersey holders behind.
Seiwald built a small advantage and Courtney was able to sprint to second place to secure the victory. “We had been discussing tactics and various scenarios, and it worked out perfectly,” said Seiwald.
“I still can’t believe we won and we will definitely celebrate with some cake today.”
Stage 4 Winner, She Sends Foundation’s Greta Seiwald
The pair also announced they would donate their prize money to two local charities through Courtney’s She Sends Foundation.
Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi’s GC leader Candice Lill acknowledged the quality of the winning move. “Today they really played it well into the finish,” said Lill.
“Kate was really strong because we sat on her wheel for most of the last 10km and she was still able to get the better of us at the finish. Yes, there was some blocking, fighting for position, and putting feet down at times, but I guess that’s racing.”
Behind the leading pair, drama struck the third-placed team in the overall classification when Rosa van Doorn crashed on the descent after the final UFO climb, gashing her knee open and losing a tooth.
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Van Doorn was unable to continue, and partner Vera Looser completed the stage alone. Hayley Preen and Haley Smith (Chemchamp Honeycomb) finished third on the stage and cemented their position in third place overall.
Lill and Keller retain the overall lead heading into Stage 5, 4:50 ahead of Courtney and Seiwald.
Elite Women Stage 4 Results for the 2026 Absa Cape Epic on Thursday, 19 March, 2026
1. She Sends Foundation: Kate Courtney & Greta Seiwald (2:56.37)
2. Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi: Candice Lill & Alessandra Keller (2:56.40 | +0:02)
3. Chemchamp Honeycomb: Hayley Preen & Haley Smith (2:58.21 | +1:43)
4. Torpado FSA Kenda: Katazina Sosna-Pinele & Giorgia Marchet (3:00.36 | +3:59)
5. Symbtech.net: Margot Moschetti & Claudia Peretti (3:00.59 | +4:22)
Elite Women General Classification after Stage 4
1. Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi: Candice Lill & Alessandra Keller (14:18.54)
2. She Sends Foundation: Kate Courtney & Greta Seiwald (14:23.44 | +4:50)
3. Chemchamp Honeycomb: Hayley Preen & Haley Smith (14:50.46 | +31:52)
4. Torpado FSA Kenda: Katazina Sosna-Pinele & Giorgia Marchet (14:54.23 | +35:29)
5. Symbtech.net: Margot Moschetti & Claudia Peretti (15:01.49 | +42:55)
Elite Women Prologue Results for the 2026 Absa Cape Epic on Sunday, 15 March, 2026
Elite Women Stage 1 Results for the 2026 Absa Cape Epic on Monday, 16 March, 2026
Elite Women Stage 2 Results for the 2026 Absa Cape Epic on Tuesday, 17 March, 2026
Elite Women Stage 3 Results for the 2026 Absa Cape Epic on Wednesday, 18 March, 2026
General Classification Special Jerseys after Stage 4
Toyota Mixed GC
Team 69: Jenny Rissveds & Simon Andreassen (18:47.16)
Absa African Women GC
Sani2C Efficient Infiniti: Samantha Sanders & Bianca Haw (15:10.13)
Open Women GC
Joy Ride: Jennifer Burtner & Callah Robinson (26:31.50)
GIC Grand Masters Women GC
UAG Epic: Martha Koekemoer & Jenny Rönngren (24:25.27)
NTT Data Masters Women GC
Iglu Therapy Chemchamp Racing: Juanita Rose Mackenzie & Rouxda Grobler (23:31.13)
Exxaro Women’s Jersey GC
Exxaro Manganese Ladies 1: Tsholofelo Nkosi & Bontle Phepiso (29:55.33)
Original Copy: The Epic Series Global MTB, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation) secured their first stage win of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic, outmanoeuvring overall leaders Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller to win the sprint to the line, after 61km with 1450m of climbing in Greyton on Thursday, 19 March, 2026. All Photos: Nick Muzik / The Epic Series Global MTB
Photo 2 Caption: The two had finished second in every stage until Thursday, and relied on a calculated tactical approach to break the leading pair’s winning run.
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