Mariëlle Trouwborst of KMC stamped her authority on the inaugural Garden Route Giro with a commanding solo victory on the final stage to secure the women’s general classification crown at the ANEW Resort Wilderness in Wilderness on Saturday, 18 April, 2026.
The sixth and final stage took the peloton from Knysna to ANEW Resort Wilderness along the Seven Passes road, a 75-kilometre route with 1 100 metres of climbing. Although the profile appeared, on paper, to favour a sprint finish, Mariëlle Trouwborst had other ideas, determined to make her triumph emphatic.
A 12-minute overall lead going into the last day would have satisfied most riders, but Mariëlle Trouwborst attacked on Phantom Pass within the first 13 kilometres of the stage, climbing away from her rivals with the same authority that had defined her week. By the summit, it was clear she would not be brought back, either by Lisa Bone in the group behind, or by Vera Looser, Cherise Willeit, and Catherine Kruger in the next group on the road.
“Fortunately, today started with a climb, so I could get away and not have to ride in a group,” Mariëlle Trouwborst said. “Near the top, I saw a man, Kent Main, just ahead and managed to get to his wheel. From there, we raced to the finish together.”
Mariëlle Trouwborst’s victory on the stage and overall was built on superb climbing performances. Whenever the course tilted uphill, she gained time.
Behind her, Lisa Bone of Cycle Nation Enza Construction enjoyed a stronger day than she had endured on Stage 5, and although the First Ascent Velo Purple Jersey competition leader was unable to match Mariëlle Trouwborst on the climbs, she remained ahead of Vera Looser, Cherise Willeit, and Catherine Kruger to secure second position on the general classification standings.
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The battle for third on the stage became the most interesting contest in the women’s race. In the run-in to Wilderness, Cherise Willeit of Toyota Specialized managed to get away from Vera Looser and Catherine Kruger.
Having finished fourth on Stages 1, 2, 3, and 4, Cherise Willeit’s third place on Stage 5 was backed up by third on Stage 6. Nonetheless, it was Vera Looser of Efficient Infiniti Insure who took home bronze overall, while Cherise Willeit was fourth and Catherine Kruger fifth on the final general classification standings.
Lisa Bone secured the Intermediate Sprint title and the First Ascent Velo Purple Jersey, which also carried a R25,000 reward. Mariëlle Trouwborst rode away with R100,000 for her overall victory and an additional R25,000 for securing the Rosa First Ascent Climbers’ jersey, taking her total haul from the inaugural Garden Route Giro to R125,000.
2026 Garden Route Giro Women’s General Classification
1. Mariëlle Trouwborst: KMC (19:09:22)
2. Lisa Bone: Cycle Nation Enza Construction (19:24:52 | +16:30)
3. Vera Looser: Efficient Infiniti Insure (19:38:04 | +30:42)
4. Cherise Willeit: Toyota Specialized (19:58:11 | +49:49)
5. Catherine Kruger: Hollard (20:16:19 | +1:07:57)
Women’s QOM Points
1. Mariëlle Trouwborst: KMC (57 points)
2. Lisa Bone: Cycle Nation Enza Construction (37 points)
3. Vera Looser: Efficient Infiniti Insure (23 points)
Women’s Sprint Points
1. Lisa Bone: Cycle Nation Enza Construction (30 points)
2. Mariëlle Trouwborst: KMC (26 points)
3. Vera Looser: Efficient Infiniti Insure (24 points)
Original Copy: Seamus Allardice Media, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The inaugural Garden Route Giro Womens General Classification after Stage 6 (from left) Cherise Willeit, Lisa Bone, 2026 champion Mariëlle Trouwborst, Vera Looser and Catherine Kruger at the ANEW Resort Wilderness in Wilderness on Saturday, 18 April, 2026. All Photos: Shift Media
Photo 2 Caption: Mariëlle Trouwborst added an additional 4 minutes and 20 seconds to her final margin of victory with a commanding ride on Stage 6.
Photo 3 Caption: Lisa Bone enjoyed a strong final stage, cementing second on the GC standings with second place on the day.
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