Lynnwood Cyclery customers, Janine Muller and Nicolle Weir didn’t only complete the 2025 Absa Cape Epic as the 21st women’s team overall, they won the Master Women’s category after a titanic eight-day battle.
Racing under the team name, Bounce, Janine and Nicolle, who are also both Lynnwood Cycling Club members, prepared meticulously for the demanding race, which delivered a tough route in extreme weather conditions this year. They diced daily for podium positions and the coveted leader’s Blue Jerseys against their primary rivals, a team from Brazil and a team from Slovakia.
We asked them some questions about their impressive achievement:
Did you go into Cape Epic planning to contest the Masters Women's title
Janine: The ABSA Cape Epic is like a box of chocolates – you never quite know what you're going to get! Heading into the race, we hoped we had a shot at the podium, especially considering the strong South African teams in the mix. However, we were fully aware that an eight-day stage race comes with many variables, and everything needed to go according to plan.
Not knowing much about the international competition lining up alongside us, we approached the race with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. As it turned out, international teams became our biggest challengers, and before we knew it, we were locked in a fierce battle throughout the week. Managing to hold onto the Blue Jersey after such an intense contest was an incredible relief and a standout moment in my cycling career.
You seemed to have very close battle with the Brazilian team initially and then the Slovakian pair to the end. It must have been exciting to have such a close race?
Nicolle: The competition from the two international teams was intense right from the Prologue. Both the Brazilian and Slovakian teams set a blistering pace, but knowing that the next seven stages would be a test of endurance rather than pure speed, we opted to pace ourselves. We finished the Prologue in third place, 4 minutes and 17 seconds off the lead – a manageable gap that gave us confidence in our strategy for the rest of the race.
Stages 1 and 2 went well, and we managed to reduce the deficit to just 32 seconds behind the Brazilians heading into Stage 3 – a brutally hot day in Paarl. Having recced the stage, we knew exactly what to expect: extreme heat, technical terrain, and relentless climbing. We decided to let the international teams dictate the early pace, riding conservatively while ensuring we refuelled at every water stop. We believe the Brazilian team made a strategic mistake by not refilling their hydration packs at every stop, and as the temperatures soared into the high 40s, they hit a wall. We seized the opportunity, passing the Slovakians earlier in the stage and then making our move when the Brazilians faded. We pushed hard through the final technical section, winning the stage and securing a 4-minute-50-second lead over Brazil and a 17-minute gap over Slovakia. Looking back, this was the moment we won the race.
The Brazilians came back strong on Stage 4; and from Stage 5, the Slovakians seemed to thrive in the cooler, wet conditions and they mounted their challenge on the overall title. The Brazilians seemed to struggle on Stage 6, but the Slovakians pulled back more time and we had to give everything on the shortened final stage to ensure we would secure the title.
We were utterly spent – emotionally and physically. Neither of us had ever raced at this intensity before, and the experience gave us a newfound respect for professional mountain bikers who do this day in and day out. It was, without a doubt, the hardest thing we've ever done – but also the most satisfying. Winning the Blue Jersey was the highlight of both of our athletic careers, and a moment we will never forget.
What was your preparation like?
Janine: Initially, Nicolle was set to ride the Cape Epic with another team, but when their sponsor pulled out, she approached me in December to consider teaming up. Things only became official in early January. While we both trained in December, I fell ill and was off the bike for three weeks – definitely not ideal, given how crucial the December training block is. Nicolle also faced challenges, with a family ski holiday planned for early January, after which she too fell ill and had to take three weeks off.
That said, our fitness levels were generally good, and in hindsight, the forced rest may have actually worked in our favour. When preparing for the Epic, it's a fine balance – you don't want to be underprepared, but overtraining can be just as detrimental. From the end of January onward, we had a solid and focused training block leading up to the race. Since we live quite close to each other, we were able to train together frequently, including all our interval sessions. Once we committed, it was all in – we knew exactly what needed to be done to get race-ready.
Our training hours varied each week, but given our work schedules, we managed to fit in between 12 and 16 hours of training per week.
Which was your worst stage – and why?
Nicolle: The Prologue was probably my toughest stage, despite being the shortest. Just 24 hours before the race, I came down with a stomach bug, so I wasn't feeling great to begin with. On top of that, I had a hard fall during the stage, landing badly on my knee. The swelling was immediate, and any pressure on it was painful, leaving me genuinely concerned that I had done some serious damage. Fortunately, it all worked out in the end, though it took about two days for my knee to recover fully. Looking back, it could have been much worse, and we're just grateful it didn't derail our race.
In terms of pure effort, however, Stage 3 was by far the most gruelling. We knew exactly what to expect from the first Paarl stage, having recced it three weeks earlier, so we were mentally prepared for the adversity and sheer difficulty of the terrain. Anticipating the extreme heat, we had also incorporated heat training into our preparation, knowing it would be a major factor in this year's Epic. That preparation made a huge difference and, I believe, gave us a crucial edge over our competition. We used it to our advantage, had a fantastic ride that day, and ultimately, it was the stage that put us in the Blue Jersey and built a solid lead over the Slovakians.
Did you have great condition at the start, or did you have some doubts?
Janine: We both lined up at the start in strong form, thanks to our coach, Robyn de Groot from Thrive Coaching. When reviewing the route profiles, we knew the sharp, steep climbs and the increased amount of singletrack would require specific preparation. Personally, I tend to enjoy long, gradual climbs where I can settle into a rhythm, so adapting to the shorter, punchier climbs was a key focus in our interval training – and I couldn't have been more grateful for it. The route delivered exactly what we expected: steep and relentless!
Despite being well-prepared, the race threw plenty of challenges our way. Nicolle had a near race-ending fall in the prologue, and I took a hard over-the-bars crash on Stage 3. On top of that, the extreme conditions – from gale-force winds to scorching heat, and even unrideable mud and rain – made it one of the toughest tests imaginable. Racing the Cape Epic under these conditions wouldn't have been possible without the intense and structured training we put in beforehand. Looking back, we are incredibly grateful for the shape we were in at the start – it was the foundation that carried us through the week.
Tell us about your bike and tyre choice?
Janine: My trusty steed was the Specialized S-Works Epic. This bike handled the untamed conditions seamlessly, with no issues encountered all week. Your equipment is another factor that needs to play along in a week like this, and to have no mechanicals for either riders, is almost unheard of, but something we are very grateful for. We both made the decision to put inserts in both front and rear tyres (we both ran the Specialized Fast Trak tyres). Many will argue that that is an overkill, but I would do it again if I had the choice. Even though it adds a bit of weight, the fact that you have that little bit of extra insurance in case disaster strikes, is just one thing less to worry about.
Thanks to Lynnwood Cyclery for looking after our bikes, pre-race, during and after the race. Knowing your bike is in good hands, is another one thing less to worry about in a week like the Cape Epic.
Nicolle: I rode my 2022 Specialized Epic Pro (the one without the Brain shock) for the Epic. I absolutely love my bike – it has never given me a single issue, even after completing two Epics and several other stage races. That said, I make a point of keeping it well maintained, and Lynnwood Cyclery is the only shop I trust for servicing. This way, I have a detailed record of dates, wear, and tear on all my parts.
For tyres, I ran Specialized Fast Trak front and rear, and we both decided to use tyre inserts – an absolute game changer. They allowed us to run lower pressures with less worry about punctures or rim damage, which gave me a lot more confidence on the trails.
My favourite part of my bike is, without a doubt, my dropper post, which I used extensively throughout the race. I also upgraded to electronic shifting just before Epic 2024 and paired it with a 32T front chainring—both of which proved to be invaluable. I honestly wouldn't want to do the Epic without them!
Are you and Nicolle likely to try and defend this title in 2026?
Janine: That will depend on the sponsors we are able to secure for 2026, but yes we would love to be able to defend the blue jersey.
Author, Lynnwood Cyclery