This past weekend, the Western Cape hosted the Race to Sea, an exhilarating 157km journey starting at the base of the iconic Franschhoek Pass and concluding at Benguela Cove in Hermanus. With 2,391m of climbing, it was a race that demanded everything from the riders.

Matt Beers:

Fresh off the plane from the USA, where I was recovering from illness, I wasn’t entirely sure how my form would hold up. My training had been minimal, with just one intense session the week before. My strategy was simple: hit the climb hard and reduce the group size as much as possible. I managed to crest Franschhoek Pass alone, with Marco Joubert close behind. Thankfully, Marco caught up, and we rode together for most of the race. He was riding really strong, so big kudos to him. In the latter stages, I attempted several attacks to drop Marco, but the headwind made it tough. With about 20km to go, I used a classic roadie tactic—letting him lead on a descent before launching a sprint. It worked, and I broke away to finish solo. Despite the uncertainty around my form, I’m very happy with the win, especially considering the fierce competition. Gravel racing is really growing in SA and I’m excited to see where the future goes. Next up, I’m heading back to the U.S. on September 9th, where I’ll stay until October 20th.

Alex Miller: This was my first race back after the unfortunate crash at the Olympic Games that left me with a broken hand. I chose the Diverge STR for the extra suspension support, which helped smooth out the rough sections. My hand felt good, and I’m looking forward to testing it further at the Trailseeker event. I knew I lacked sharpness on the climb up Franschhoek Pass and couldn’t stay with Matt and Marco. But given the circumstances, I’m pleased with my third-place finish. My endurance held up, and now it’s time to focus on sharpening up before the Marathon World Championships and the final XCM World Cup.

Johan Van Zyl: Johan Van Zyl faced his first Elite XCC and XCO World Championships in Pal Arinsal, Andorra, where the high altitude of 1,900m presented a formidable challenge. Racing at such elevation requires a careful balance between pushing hard and conserving energy to avoid burning out too soon. Reflecting on the experience, Johan said, "I knew it was going to be a tough ask racing at the top level with the best in the world. My preparation leading up to World Champs wasn’t ideal, as I suffered from illness and knee injuries. Regardless, it is always a privilege to represent my country, and I wanted to do the best I could." The XCC event took place on Friday afternoon, with a 20-minute race plus one lap. Johan started at the back, where the pace was intense from the outset. He focused on controlling what he could and choosing the safest lines to pass other competitors, ultimately finishing in 37th position. "It was a good race opener that got my legs and lungs ready for Sunday’s XCO race," Johan noted. The XCO race schedule was altered at the last minute due to a lightning warning, pushing the Elite Men’s race to an earlier start at 12:00, with the laps reduced from 7 to 6. Starting from the 7th row, Johan knew the importance of a strong start if he wanted a good result. He focused on passing one rider at a time and gradually worked his way up. The first half of the race was congested through two technical sections filled with open roots and big rocks, but Johan enjoyed pushing his limits and testing himself against the world’s best. "I really enjoyed the race and learned a lot. I know what I need to do to improve in my training, and I’m looking forward to the last part of the racing season," Johan concluded.