Stage 3 of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic saw unexpected general classification action, the fourth new stage winners in the Elite Men's race, and the continued class of Candice Lill and Alessandra Keller. Marc Pritzen and Felix Stelhi powered across the gravel roads from Riviersonderend to Greyton to establish an advantage, which they held into Middelplaas to take Honeycomb 266ers' first Absa Cape Epic stage win. Behind them, Tristan Nortje endured a front wheel puncture and was forced to chase for the second time in three days, but unlike on Stage 1, he and Matt Beers were unable to make it back to the favourites group. After 140 kilometres of racing Toyota Specialized Imbuko team ceded 1 minute and 16 seconds to Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto. This meant that Wilier Vittoria led overall, heading into the second half of the race, by 1 minute and 14 seconds over Beers and Nortje.