The Absa Cape Epic is a test of the human spirit, and if you look closely at our finish line you’ll find a strength there that surpasses all, the strength of a Mother.
Today, we celebrate the women who embody the grit, resilience, and heart required to navigate life’s biggest challenges.
To the Moms on the bike, you’ve balanced the gruelling training blocks with the chaos of parenthood. You’ve shown your children that “impossible” is just a starting point.
And to the Moms behind the scenes, you are the driving force behind so many of the incredible stories that get told after those 8 days. You’ve provided the emotional tailwind that carries our riders to the finish.
Happy Mother’s Day to the women who make the Cape Epic possible. Thank you for your strength, your sacrifice, and for being the heart of the Cape Epic community. ❤️
A special shoutout goes to The SuperMoms, @taylorchick and @ilastow . Racing amongst the Elite Women and earning themselves a podium in the @absa.southafrica African Jersey category! You have inspired so many others to reach for more than they ever dreamed of. 🏆
It’s This coolest little dude’s 10th birthday today and I could not be more proud. Some facts about Thomas Burry Willeit.
1.) Loves with his whole heart and isn’t afraid to show it’s.
2.) Favorite food is Sushi esp salmon roses.
3.) Loves to be cuddled.
4.) Rugby and Motocross is life and wants to be professional in either or both one day.
5.) Does not like to suffer but can slam into Bigger boys during a rugby match with no problems.
6.) Surrounded by the best group of friends and absolutely adores them.
7.) Very good at maths and art.
8.) Loved irritating and bossing around his little brother.
9.) Has an amazing dry sense of humor.
10.) Is loved more than he will ever know.
My biggest dream come true. Thank you God for the miracle of being a mom to these beautiful boys. 💜
Inaugural Garden Route Giro… and honestly, I’m not sure one post can do this past week justice.
I was reminded (again) just how ridiculously beautiful our country is — and what a privilege it is to call it home.
Also… tent life really humbled me. Never been more grateful for a proper bed and a hot shower 😅
Somewhere along the way, I think I fell in love with this sport all over again. The organisers, race marshals, media, competitors — it genuinely felt like a proper community. Everyone cheering everyone on… that’s the stuff that sticks.
On the racing side, I finished 4th overall in the Elite Women and I’m really proud of that. I gave it absolutely everything. The top 3 were on another level — seriously impressive riding!
Big congrats to @marielletrouwborst@lisabone_ and @vera_looser
And honestly, one of my daily highlights was hearing that @cronje_beukes was still leading — what a performance from a local legend and all-round superhuman!
This whole experience and performance wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support behind me — please give these legends some love 💜
@toyota_sa@specializedsomersetwest@specializedza@vibro_bricks@bdosouthafrica@oakley@thulestoresouthafrica
Back to reality now… but GRG, you’ve definitely taken a little piece of my heart 💛
📸 @oakpics@shift_media_co
@taylorchick might not be that excited for the long day of riding, but she's happy the sun is out and is looking forward to getting to @visitknysna where @suzigiliomee will be spoiling one of SA's favourite cyclists with her famous hospitality.
All lives matter. Let’s pause for a moment and remember that it is never okay to condone — or worse, celebrate — the loss of human life.
Cyclists are not objects. They are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. They are loved, they are needed, and they matter.
None of us are perfect, but we can all choose patience, kindness, and respect.
I know, firsthand, the heartbreak of seeing a loved one lying lifeless on the road. It’s a pain no one should ever have to experience — not even your worst enemy.
Please, let’s look out for one another. Always.
Cape Epic 2026
8th in Elite Women
2nd in African Jersey
…and proud winner of the unofficial official Pedal 4Good jersey 😅😂
It still feels a little surreal that it’s all over. But out of the five Epics I’ve finished… this one? Definitely the toughest yet.
The shorter distances for the women made the racing spicy from the gun — I was hitting 190 heart rate within the first few hundred meters… every single day. Apparently that’s my new personality now 😅
I didn’t know I had those kinds of numbers in me day after day, but I guess that’s exactly what the Epic is about — finding your limits… and then politely ignoring them.
My heart broke for @kateplusfate and @gretaseiwald and everything they went through. But wow — I don’t think I’ve ever met athletes so strong, yet so kind and grounded. True heroes of the sport.
We mostly saw @candice_mtb and @alessandrakeller from a distance (read: very far ahead 😅), but what a performance. And finally, Candice gets that Epic win to add to an already ridiculous résumé. So well deserved. Watching them lift the women’s field and the energy around it… it really felt like a win for women’s cycling as a whole.
And Ila… where do I even start. If I could custom-build a partner, I still wouldn’t come close. She’s everything you could ever want and more. “Grateful” doesn’t even scratch the surface of what I feel about our partnership.
A big shoutout to @specializedza for keeping our bikes alive through what was honestly an equipment-destroying Epic. You guys went above and beyond, as always.
Thank to our sponsors who keep on believing in us and giving us the opportunity to represent their brands- we do it with so much pride.
And to my dad — who has been by my side through every single one of these, somehow managing to be everywhere at once — you are my hero.
And to everyone out on the route — thank you. There were so many moments where I was hanging on by a thread, ready to call it… and then I’d hear someone shouting in the distance. Somehow, that was enough to get me to push just one more pedal stroke.
I love this sport.
@toyota_sa@bdosouthafrica
The Queen Stage of the Cape Epic showed exactly why it is one of the most demanding days on the calendar.
With 90km of racing and over 2000m of climbing, combined with unpredictable weather, the stage tested every rider physically and mentally. This is where endurance is no longer just about strength, but about resilience, focus and the ability to keep going when everything feels uncertain.
Fortress Toyota continues to hold a strong lead heading into the final stretch, but as today reminded us, anything can change in an instant.
We are sending all our love to Anri Grobbelaar Reef after her accident before the pass. Wishing her a full and speedy recovery.
As we head into Stage 6, the riders can look forward to singletrack and sunshine in Stellenbosch, with plenty of GEES still to come.
Follow the final stages as the riders push towards the finish 🚲
#p4gleadersjersey #pedalforgood #capeepic #workingheroines #cyclingjourney
Stage 4 of @capeepic was a rough but rewarding route through the Greyton trail network. It all starts to feel hard at this point but we had a good day together.
Tomorrow we go again.
Thanks @milan_debeer for capturing it all 🙌🏼
@toyota_sa
Fortress Real Estate Investments
@bdosouthafrica@vibro_bricks
Throwback to the delivery of the Hilux that will be transporting the bikes, equipment and kiddos of @taylorchick and @ilastow for the 2026 Absa Cape Epic 🚴🏻♀️🏞️
We wish you ladies the best for the remainder of the race, we’ll see you at the finish line! 👏
#toyota #capeepic #cyclist
Stage 1 @capeepic not much went to plan.
But that’s part of racing and being able to adapt, stay calm, reset and refresh is everything. @taylorchick is the ultimate with just rolling with it. No one else I would rather be with, it’s always a good time even when it shouldn’t be✨
📷 @charlkemp_photography@toyota_sa
Fortress Real Estate Investments
@bdosouthafrica@rola.toyotasomersetwest
