On Tuesday, 14 April 2026, the Garden Route Giro delivered a dramatic shake-up on Stage 2, as Cronje Beukes and Lisa Bone powered to victory on a punishing day in the saddle—both riders reshaping the general classification after a gruelling test through the Klein Karoo.
For those who missed Stage 1, Marco Joubert and Mariëlle Trouwborst claimed the opening victories on a fast-paced 73km route, setting the early benchmark and pulling on the first leaders’ jerseys of the race.
Following the fast and furious opener, the 119km second stage brought climbing, strategy, and resilience to the forefront, with 2,000 metres of elevation and the feared Rooiberg Pass proving decisive.
Rooiberg Pass Breaks the Men’s Race
If Stage 1 was about speed, Stage 2 was all about strength—and Beukes had plenty of it.
After a tightly controlled opening over Garcia’s Pass, the race came alive as a strong group formed on the gravel, with pre-race favourites bridging across before the decisive climbs.
The turning point came on Rooiberg Pass. As the gradient bit, Beukes launched a powerful move, distancing Stage 1 winner Marco Joubert and building a commanding lead over the summit.
Even a fast descent and a relentless chase from Joubert could not close the gap. Battling into a stiff headwind on the run to Calitzdorp, Beukes held firm to cross the line solo—securing the stage win and the coveted yellow jersey.
Behind him, Joubert finished second and Wessel Botha third, but the standings had shifted significantly, with Beukes now holding a 44-second lead overall.
Bone Turns the Tables in Women’s Showdown
In the women’s race, Lisa Bone delivered a tactically brilliant ride to overturn the Stage 1 result and claim both the stage victory and the overall lead.
From early on, Bone showed her intent, powering over Garcia’s Pass to claim maximum sprint points despite brutal headwinds. But it was on Rooiberg where she made her decisive move.
Riding alongside Mariëlle Trouwborst and Vera Looser, Bone first helped distance Looser before launching a solo effort near the summit of the final climb. Her strategy was clear: build enough of a gap to counter Trouwborst’s superior descending ability.
The gamble paid off. Though Trouwborst clawed her way back on the descent, Bone had enough left in the tank to outsprint her rival in the finale—gaining a crucial two-second advantage and moving into the yellow jersey.
The pair now sit well clear of the rest of the field, having opened a gap of over seven minutes on their nearest challenger.
Drama, Grit and Gravel
Stage 2 wasn’t without its share of adversity. Mechanical issues and fatigue tested riders throughout the day, most notably one competitor who battled through a catastrophic puncture before rejoining the race.
Between the climbs, fast gravel roads encouraged aggressive racing, but the combination of distance, elevation, and wind ensured only the strongest contenders remained in the fight for victory.
Swartberg Showdown Awaits
With two stages complete, the Garden Route Giro is already living up to its reputation as one of the toughest gravel races on the calendar.
Stage 3 promises yet another stern test, with 89km of racing and a punishing 2,100 metres of climbing, including the iconic Swartberg Pass.
For Beukes and Bone, the challenge now is to defend their hard-earned yellow jerseys. For the chasing pack, the race is far from over—but the road ahead only gets tougher.
