Weber describes ‘brutal’ Cape Epic achievement

Genevieve Weber and Mannie Heymans’s victory as the first mixed team in the Cape Epic mountain bike race in the Western Cape was one of several inspirational performances from the Namibian perspective.

Three-time Olympian Heymans joined up with Weber, South African born mother of two and former mountain bike world champion in the sub-veteran (35-39) age group, who lives in Windhoek.

Despite a crash in which she sustained suspected cracked ribs, she held on for the category win after the eight-day, 657 kilometre tour.

The 2022 edition had a record 31.8% of riders not finishing the tour (82 teams were out by the end of stage 2), with TreadMTB.co.za this week publishing a thorough analysis of the question many had asked, whether this was the toughest-ever Cape Epic.

In her own words, Weber described her experience for us.

“Wow, now this was truly a epic adventure ...

Mannie asked me if I would consider doing the Epic with him, but it was late February... So this was a last minute dot com.

But I am glad I’ve had some form, as I always try to have overall fitness so if something ever comes up and timing is good, I could maybe take on the challenge...

I didn’t say yes at first. I first prayed about it, spoke with my family, as the sacrifice and family logistics can be quite challenging to arrange to do a event like this.

Anyway, in a nutshell, we had a great prologue, as I am used to racing short cross-country style.

The next seven days were insane, brutal, hectic and mind-blowing...

I have never cramped so much like I did on day 1...(my legs gave birth to a 100 babies, that’s how much they cramped).

The Tuesday we had a solid ride. Mannie is just next level, paced us so well... we were up against the Costa Ricans, they were just next level super strong and amazing to ride and race with (so sad they couldn’t finish due to a bad tummy bug).

On Wednesday’s stage, we started off well. But then at 46 km or so, I had a really bad crash.

To be honest I thought that was the end of me and this epic adventure for us as a team...

I sat up, caught my breath... Didn’t feel anything major broken except chest was pounding and head was pounding, skin was off legs and arms. But I was breathing

We got going again. And it’s amazing just what adrenaline can do and where your mind can go if you keep saying to yourself, “You never know what your body can do till you try ... don’t give up.”

I also kept hearing my dad’s voice throughout the next four days after that fall, as I was really really broken by then and every day was just surviving for dear life and hanging on to Mannie where I could ...

Being South Africa’s first female jockey, I had to break through many hard territories where women were not welcomed in a man’s sport... and having to show and prove to the men that women can do this just as well as they can (not the same power, but we as women have a different strength and ability we can add to the sport).

So when falling off a horse at high speed, or thrown off, I wasn’t allowed to sit and cry, but was told by dad, ”Come on my girl, get back on that horse, you can do it.”

And that I guess is part of who I am is to get back on ...

Even when everything in me is screaming and shouting, give up, don’t go, it’s ok, you have done enough...

Anyway, all credit goes to Mannie and God’s grace and protection. Mannie was just next level, he guided and paced us so well. He pulled me and pushed me, and I am sure he also had to swallow some words when I was having some of my little meltdowns (giggle giggle).

But he really took care of me all the way to the finish and I am so grateful for his patience, guidance and his main words of encouragement was, ”lekker lekker”, “you doing great, we’re almost there.”

I am super sad I couldn’t have enjoyed the win as it should have been and just been able to shake the champagne bottle and jump up and down, but I was in massive pain and agony as it looks like I have a cracked a rib or two.

So after every stage I would have a good cry and a few moments to myself and few pep talks to myself to just get back on and finish even if it was at a snail’s pace, or even if we had to push our bikes past the line...

I am glad we finished, and we finished with a lot more than what I could have ever expected. It’s surreal, but to be honest I am so grateful it’s also done now.

I agree with Frank Snyman’s comment, that this is one of the hardest things I have also ever done. The true warriors and champions of this race are the ones like Christo Swartz, Gerhard Mans Junior, Frank and Ian Grassow and Mannie and many others, who work full day jobs and still have to try manage to put in the hours of training. They deserve all the recognition.

Just resting / spending time with my family now and trying to recover, as my body is in quite a lot of pain. I will have a CT scan done on arrival in Windhoek.”