South Africa’s Ryan Gibbons won the elite men’s race in a sprint finish, while Lisa Bone claimed victory in the women’s race after a strong ride around the peninsula.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Ryan Gibbons sprinted to victory in the men’s race at the 2026 Cape Town Cycle Tour on Helen Suzman Boulevard in Green Point.
Having spent the last decade racing in Europe, Gibbons’ homecoming to South Africa began with a team victory at the Double Century in November 2025 and culminated on Sunday with the most prestigious title in local cycling.
The elite men’s race in the 48th edition had been chaotic at times, with multiple crashes and gusting cross winds in the Southern Peninsula making positioning in the group vital. Gibbons was able to avoid any issues thanks to the strength of his team. While others were not as fortunate. Marc Pritzen and Lood Goosen were two riders who got caught up in crashes.
“Taking the victory is so special. It’s great to be back here in South Africa, to be part of the local cycling community again. It has grown and strengthened so much in the last decade. Winning the Cape Town Cycle Tour is massive for any South African, and for me in particular, because it was the big South African race missing from my palmarès,” Gibbons said.
For the women, Lisa Bone was among the pre-race favourites, but was perhaps uncertain of her own formidable strength. The Enza Construction Cycle Nation rider had a commanding performance that culminated in a hard-fought sprint finish. Bone edged out the Russian age-group Gravel World Champion, Daria Pravilova, and the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Champion, Kate Courtney, to win the 2026 title.
“I had studied the finale and saw that the winner tends to sprint down the left. With the wind blowing in a cross-headwind from our right, the left was the most sheltered place to be. I just went for it and gave the sprint everything," Bone said.
"This victory is entirely down to my team. They were amazing today. They sacrificed themselves for me, worked hard to overcome the strength of the Tshenolo [Pro Cycling] team, and put me in a position to race to my very best. It wouldn’t have been possible without every single one of them.”
2026 Cape Town Cycle Tour Elite Men’s Results:
2026 Cape Town Cycle Tour Elite Women’s Results:
Cape Times