Nico Van Der Merwe: I Have Unfinished Business — A Cape Epic Story
- Aug 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 7
One rider, one ambitious challenge, a broken hand—and a determination to come back better prepared.
Some riders enter the Cape Epic chasing a result. Others simply want to prove something to themselves. For this rider, it all started with someone saying it couldn't be done. What followed was a journey of determination, setbacks, resilience, and unfinished business.
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"Someone told me it was impossible for me to be ready for the Epic... and I saw that as a challenge."
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1. What was your motivation for entering the Cape Epic?
Someone told me it was impossible for me to be ready for the Epic in the timeframe available, and I saw that as a challenge.
2. How did you train and prepare—both physically and mentally—for the Cape Epic?
After following some self-planned training, I got the support of a coach and made sure to set up my pain cave properly to allow training at any time, on any day. I also spent time with partners who had previously completed the Epic, attended training camps, and raced events that simulated the stages. Mentally, I kept telling myself that I could do it, and whenever I felt off, I reminded myself that I wanted to prove I was capable.
3. Did you have any specific goals or times in mind, or were you just focused on finishing?
I was focused on finishing—and not being chased by hyenas constantly!
4. What was the toughest part of the race for you, and how did you manage the fatigue—physically and mentally?
Stage 2, with diarrhoea, was a massive challenge, and I had to use the 140 km+ Stage 3 to recover some energy.
The biggest mental challenge was finishing the last 70 km of Stage 4 with a partially broken hand. I was determined to finish and decided that was more important than the pain.
The toughest moment, however, came on the morning of Stage 5 when the doctor pulled me from the race. It was a huge disappointment because I felt ready to tackle the remaining stages, even with a cast on.
5. How did you and your teammate work together to tackle the race?
We communicated a lot and had to strategise to make sure we reached the key points in time. We had different approaches to each day, so we also needed to keep each other's perspectives in mind.
6. Take me through Stage 4—what happened?
I have thought about that stage a lot over the last few weeks, and it comes back to not doing the basics right and panicking.
I had an issue with my electronic shifting within the first 10 km, and we tried several times to get it working but couldn't. At one point, we decided to swap bikes because my partner was the stronger rider, but we didn't fully understand the differences in our bike setups.
I got on his bike, started pedalling, and assumed his saddle felt lower because the dropper post was down—it wasn't. I lost focus, bottomed out on a rock sticking out of the trail, and flew over the handlebars.
I ended up with what we thought was a sprained hand and a hole in my leg that later needed eight stitches. We got going again, but within a few kilometres I clipped another branch with my left hand and realised the injury was much worse than I had first thought.
My partner got upset, we had a brief fallout, and then we both realised it was time to focus. We narrowly made the halfway cut-off, and when we high-fived each other, I told him I believed my hand was broken.
The broken hand isn't what defines this story. What stands out is the mindset behind it. Throughout the week, Nico repeatedly chose determination over comfort—whether battling illness, riding through pain, or accepting the disappointment of being withdrawn while already thinking about returning.
We agreed it was time to make up some lost time, and we knuckled down to the next water point, making up about 45 minutes. The last 15 km, however, were technical trails with plenty of descending. By then the adrenaline had worn off, and the pain really kicked in. It was one of the toughest sections I have ever ridden, but my partner kept supporting me, and I was stubborn enough to keep going until the finish.
7. You still completed the stage—what kept you going?
Stubbornness. And sheer determination. I wasn't about to let a broken hand stop me from finishing. My partner also supported me throughout the stage once he realised I could keep going.
8. What stands out as the most meaningful moment of your race?
For me, it was waking up on the morning of Stage 5 knowing I was still willing and able to keep going—especially after completing the previous stage with a broken hand and a badly injured leg.
9. What did this experience teach you?
Never give up. But also, don't panic.
10. What did you learn about yourself during the Cape Epic that you didn't know before?
I always knew I was determined when I needed to be, but not to this extent. I didn't know I could keep going even when every bump and rock made me want to scream.
11. How did the reality of your race compare to your expectations, and how did your perspective shift after the injury?
I wasn't fit enough. I now understand much better how much work needs to go into the next one. To make it more enjoyable, I need to be better prepared.
12. What advice would you give to first-time Cape Epic riders—not just about performance, but about handling setbacks or unexpected challenges?
The Epic is almost entirely in your mind. Preparation gets you to the Prologue, but when the tough times come and the headwinds hit, you and your partner have to get yourselves through it. There are no shortcuts out on the trails—the only way out is through.
"There are no shortcuts out on the trails—the only way out is through."
13. Given how things ended, would you consider returning to the Cape Epic? What would motivate that decision?
Absolutely. I'm already preparing—with more time this time around. I have unfinished business.
14. Anything else you'd like to share that could help future Cape Epic riders?
Remember to have fun. You're spending long days in the saddle after months of training, and for me, being able to keep smiling is just as important as being physically prepared.
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Unfinished business
The Cape Epic may have ended earlier than planned, but the challenge hasn't.
Nico came into the race determined to prove that someone else's doubts didn't define what was possible. With a short preparation window, illness, injury and ultimately a medical withdrawal, the experience was never going to be straightforward. But it also showed him what he was capable of.
Now he's already preparing for another attempt—with more time this time around.
The lesson isn't simply to train harder. It's to give yourself enough runway.
And perhaps that's what makes this story so compelling: Nico took on one of mountain biking's biggest challenges with limited preparation time, pushed through setbacks that could easily have ended his race sooner, and came away wanting to find out what might be possible with a full build.
The first attempt ended early. The unfinished business remains.
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