The relatively short 70-kilometer stage is a tough one. Almost 2,000 meters of altitude, rough terrain and difficult descents push the participants to their limits. The South African cross-country specialists Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes took advantage of the difficulties of the route and broke away after just 20 kilometers. Konny Looser has digested the consequences of his crash better than expected, but rides with limitations and falls away from the group. Looser recovers on the subsequent descent and is able to catch up again with his partner Brandon Stewart.

After 50 kilometers the batteries are empty. The constant battle with the bruises cost Looser too much energy. By the finish, the Looser/Stewart duo had lost over seven minutes to the winners and over four minutes to Woolcock and Kleinhans, finishing in fourth place. The latter thus take the lead in the overall classification ahead of Looser and Stewart. Buys and Beukes are now in fourth position and are just under two minutes behind third-placed Jens Schuermans and James Reid, who finished fifth on the stage.

In the women's race, Annika Langvad and Ariane Kleinhans just don't seem to want to let go of the lead. The two marathon specialists crossed the finish line in Herold with a lead of around 20 minutes. Jane Nüssli and Esther Süss were beaten by South Africans Robyn de Groot and Ischen Stopforth in the fourth stage and finished third.

In the mixed category, the two Swiss riders Michelle Hediger and Remigi Maissen finished 14th. Maissen, who is not normally used to such stresses and strains, is able to cope with the daily challenges, but admits: "I suffer in the stages like I've never had to before." The pair are still in twelfth place in the overall standings.

The fifth stage takes the participants over 70 kilometers through the Klein Karoo region, over the Outeniqua Mountains and through the coastal forests to the finish in George.

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