She Rides

This week Saar & Kristof talked with Anabelle Thomas, a 21-year-old Canadian road racer for Liv AlUla Jayco, about her big jump from a small Belgian club team to a Liv's conti team.She talks about Zwift Academy, what it's really like moving to a bigger team (princess treatment included), and the visa headaches non-European riders deal with that nobody really talks about.We also go through the latest transfer news in the women's peloton, plus a quick recap of Tour of Britain and Lorena Wiebes doing Lorena Wiebes things again.

This week Saar chatted with Petra Stiasny - finally back on the podcast after a bad training crash.. We talk about her surprise Vuelta stage win, the recovery, and why climbing is where she feels most at home. Plus loads of Tour de France talk - the crazy final stage, the "Bra gate" , the UAE team, plus her thoughts on TV coverage and how long grand tours should be. Ooh and she's not only back in the podcast, but soon will also be back racing!

Saar & Connie discuss stage 6-8 of the TdFF

Stage 3-5 recap

TdFF Stage 1&2 debrief with Connie Hayes

In the lead-up to our favourite race of the year, Saar and Kristof sit down with Océane Mahé — a French rider on a French team, Ma Petite Entreprise, about to make her Tour de France Femmes debut. On top of racing, she's also a full-time student and interning at one of her own team's sponsors. She talks us through how she fits it all in one week, what makes a small team feel different from the big-budget squads, and how she's feeling going into her first ever Tour.After that, Saar and Kristof go stage by stage through the whole race — jerseys, dark horses, and predictions they don't even agree on themselves

This week Saar talks with Lien Schampaert.She just turned 19, races cyclocross in winter "to not be bored," and somehow pulled off that chaotic sprint finish at GP Schellebelle. Lien tells us what it's like lining up next to Lotte Kopecky and Zoe Backstedt, and a rough moment during the Baloise Ladies Tour that had her in tears mid-race. She also talks balancing racing with school, working in a coffee bar where nobody knows what cycling even is, and dreaming about turning pro and getting the chance to ever try and beat Lorena Wiebe

This week Saar and Kristof chat with Carys Lloyd, the 19-year-old Movistar sprinter who's earned herself an unofficial title: Lorena Wiebes beater. She talks through that wild, hail-soaked breakthrough win, why terrible weather might actually be her secret weapon, and what it means to make her Commonwealth Games debut for Wales this summer. We also get into her Lego obsession (it's cost her more than cycling ever has), the mindset she's chasing from teammate Marlen Reusser, and a rapid-fire round of This or That. Plus, a preview of the Baloise Ladies Tour with our predictions for who comes out on top. A great listen with one of the brightest young sprinters in the peloton.

Olivia-Saar (1).txttxtwrite me a spotify style summarySynthesized episode transcript and crafted engaging Spotify descriptionSynthesized episode transcript and crafted engaging Spotify descriptionHere's a Spotify-style episode summary for the Olivia episode:Episode 80: From field hockey to the front of the bunch with Olivia VerkruysseShe only started cycling a few years ago — first field hockey, then triathlon, then falling in love with the bike. Now Olivia Verkruysse is riding her first season with the Fenix devo team and already turning heads: 2nd in the U23 race and top 10 overall at Belgian Nationals, all while working for the team, not for herself.In this episode, Olivia opens up about the scary-exciting jump into WorldTour bunches, learning the ropes from teammates like Charlotte Kool, and why development teams matter for riders whose bodies (and race brains) are still catching up to the racing. She talks lead-out duty, unexpected top-10s, and the confidence that comes from doing your job well. Off the bike, she's studying law (dentistry was the original plan, one point away), and explains how the books actually help her switch off from training.We also run through the Belgian Nationals recap, break down the Ronde van Vlaanderen-style startlist for her next race, and close out with a rapid-fire this-or-that and her Tour de France hot take: Charlotte Kool over Lorena Wiebes in a sprint.🎧 New episode of She Rides, out now.Want me to also do a shorter Instagram caption version, or pull out standalone quotes for a carousel like we've done before?shorter and the name is Olivia Vercruysse. start with=Thought for 0sThought for 0sstart with: thios week saar is joined by olivia vercruysseThis week Saar is joined by Olivia Vercruysse, a first-year Fenix devo rider who only picked up cycling a few years ago (via field hockey and triathlon) and is already turning heads — 2nd in the U23 race and top 10 overall at Belgian Nationals.They talk about the jump into WorldTour bunches, learning from teammates like Charlotte Kool, working for the team over chasing her own results, and studying law on the side (dentistry was the original plan, missed by one point). They close with a Belgian Nationals recap, a look at her next start list, and a rapid-fire this-or-that ending in her Tour de France hot take: Charlotte Kool over Lorena Wiebes in a sprint.🎧 New episode of She Rides, out now.more coomon vocab plsThis week Saar is joined by Olivia Vercruysse, a first-year Fenix devo rider who only started cycling a few years ago (via field hockey and triathlon) and is already making a name for herself — 2nd in the U23 race and top 10 overall at Belgian Nationals.They talk about her jump into the WorldTour peloton, learning from teammates like Charlotte Kool, working for the team instead of going for her own results, and studying law on the side (dentistry was the original plan, missed by one point). They wrap up with a Belgian Nationals recap, a preview of her next race, and a quick this-or-that ending in her Tour de France hot take: Charlotte Kool beats Lorena Wiebes in a sprint.

Two weeks of women's cycling news in one episode. Saar and Kristof work through the Giro Women finale, Tour de Suisse, Volta a Catalunya, and a packed nationals week — Kristof's boring but winning picks included and Saar bringing the hot takes!

In this episode, Saar talks with Michelle Knappmann, a Danish paracyclist and handbiker who started the sport at 27 after a serious injury left her unable to ride a regular bike. Michelle opens up about the frustrating reality of being judged as 'too able' to compete at elite level, the lack of media coverage in paracycling, and what it actually takes to train as a disabled athlete with chronic pain. She also shares her next big goal: attacking the world hour record — and dares World Tour teams like Lidl-Trek and Uno-X to sponsor her while she does it.

Saar and Kristof catch up on a chaotic first week at the Giro — Wiebes gets kicked out over a 20-gram bike drama, Balsamo takes over and suddenly can't stop winning sprints, Van der Breggen comes out of nowhere to crush the TT, and everyone's hyped for the Finestre showdown. Plus the usual hot takes and a GC prediction they don't agree on.

Saar and Kristof preview the Giro Women start list team by team, make their stage and GC predictions, and wrap up the Spanish racing block including Burgos + the Dutch/Belgian one-day races.GC picks: Saar goes Gigante, Kristof is backing Niamh Fisher-Black — make or die for his hottest take of the season. Everyone expects Wiebes to win the sprints, but we're up for a surprise.

This week Anna Dubier joins Saar and Kristof — an 18 year old Australian who flew thousands of dollars across the world to race bikes in Belgium, won a rainbow jersey along the way, and is already thinking about the kind of athlete she wants to be remembered as. They talk racing in Europe on a tight budget, hiding your pain behind a poker face, and why the results are only half the story.

To celebrate Mother's Day, Saar & Kristof were joined by Emma Wolff, mum of three, former triathlete, and proud mum of pro cyclist Imogen Wolff (a She Rides guest aswell!). Emma takes us back to the early signs that Imogen was wired differently — like screaming at Tour de France riders at age 10, and walks us through what it really takes to raise an elite athlete. We talk about the sacrifices behind the scenes, what people get wrong about pro sport, and Emma's hopes for Imogen's future ). We also preview Itzulia, cold and hot take included! 

The Vuelta Femenina just gave us one of the most wild weeks in women's cycling — and Saar is joined by commentator Tim de Vries to go through it all. From crashes on stage one to Lotte Kopecky getting that win she needed, Shari Bossuyt getting that final confirmation she's absolutely back, all the way to the Angliru where absolutely nobody saw Petra Stiasny coming. And then there's Paula Blasi, who two years and two months ago had never even raced a bike, somehow winning the whole thing.Tim and Saar go stage by stage, talk about some inconsistent UCI calls, with the needed She Rides bias added.Warning: tears were shed from the sofa. ;)

Saar is joined by stand-in co-host Connie Hayes to recap the spring classics and look ahead to the Vuelta a España Femenina.Connie had a rough few weeks — a crash at Grand Prix Féminin de Chambéry left her hoping to make the start line at Morbihan. She and Saar talk through what Brabantse Pijl and Chambéry showed about the gap between World Tour and Conti riders, and whether the race calendar is really set up fairly.On the classics: Vollering was in a league of her own at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Paula Blasi keeps delivering. Saar also shares her roadside LBL experience — spray paint included.Then it's onto the Vuelta, starting this Sunday. It's a tough parcours with the Angliru waiting on the final weekend. Saar and Connie talk through who to watch, whether Sarah will start, and how the race might play out without Vollering.Note: only three team rosters were confirmed when we recorded this, so bear with us on the start list chat!

Saar's voice has barely recovered from Paula Blasi's Amstel Gold Race win when episode 71 kicks off. Joining her and Kristof is Laura Lizette Sander, a 21-year-old Estonian rider for Hitec Products - Fluid Contro. Laura shares how McDonald's trips got her on a bike, what it's like to be one of the first Estonians to make it to the pro peloton, and a brutally funny story from her rough 2024 season involving an abandoned race, a stranger's candy, and a rival team's van.They also broke down the Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold Race — before closing out with Liège–Bastogne–Liège predictions.

This week, Saar chats with Nadia Gontova — a Canadian climber who made her World Tour debut with Liv-AlUla-Jayco this season after a year at Winspace. Nadia talks about how a friendship with Sarah Gigante was born at the back of the peloton at the Tour de France Femmes, her iliac artery surgery and road back to racing, and what it's like stepping up to the World Tour. They also review a disappointing Paris Roubaix crowds wise — and look ahead to the Ardennes classics with Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold Race on the horizon.

Saar and Kristof chat with 19-year-old Auke de Buysser (EF Education) in her first World Tour season. She talks about the jump from juniors to the pro peloton, racing alongside world champions, and drops the scoop that she'll be lining up at Paris–Roubaix this weekend.Then they recap Tour of Flanders - Demi Vollering wins in dominant fashion, but a nasty crash near the Koppenberg takes out several big names including Le Court, Reusser, and She Rides guest Caroline Anderson. Plus a quick Ronde de Mouscron recap (Copponi wins), a Scheldeprijs preview, and a full Paris–Roubaix Femmes preview with predictions — and Saar's rant about why putting all four races on the same day is a terrible idea.

In this episode, Saar chats with Caroline Andersson from Liv Alula Jayco for a proper classics chat. Caroline talks about growing up in a cycling family in Sweden, making her way through the junior ranks and eventually landing that first World Tour contract — the moment she truly started believing. They look back at Dwars door Vlaanderen and why the chase just never came together, before turning their eyes to Sunday's Tour of Flanders with team breakdowns, star picks and some bold predictions. Caroline rates her spring a 7 out of 10 for now — but a podium in Flanders would change everything.

In episode 67 of She Rides, Saar chats with Mischa Bredewold — three-time Plouay winner, Amstel Gold Race champion, and one of the most exciting all-rounders in the women's peloton right now. After a tough start to the 2026 season with three crashes in a row, Mischa talks about what that does to you mentally and why people sometimes forget that athletes are just humans too. We also discuss Lotte Kopecky's incredible San Remo Women's performance and the horrible crash on the Cipressa descent. She talks about racing safety, life off the bike, finishing her degree, and her love of philosophy. Later in the episode, Tim de Vries joins Saar for a quick In Flanders Fields preview — who to watch, what to expect, and whether anyone can beat Lorena Wiebes.

Saar catches up with Sigrid about her season so far — the near-miss solo win, a strong return to racing in 2026, and why she's already dreading the Vuelta climbs (but secretly loves them).Then Saar and Kristof recap Nokere Koerse, talk about why the reaction to Lotte Kopecky's win was kind of ridiculous, and share their predictions for Milano-San Remo Women this weekend.

In this episode Kristof and Saar preview the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, the oldest race on the calendar. The also quickly recap GP Oetingen and look ahead to Nokere Koerse.

In this episode, Saar and Kristof catch up with Lotte Claes, now at Fenix Premier Tech after struggling to find a team for this season. They spend most of the episode breaking down a brilliant Strade Bianche — Elise Chabbey won a chaotic six-rider sprint, while bad luck, bad days and a race moto taking a wrong turn ruined the race for Kopecky, Vollering, Férrand-Prévot, Borghesi and others. Lotte talks about how much easier racing feels with a strong team around her. The episode ends in weird wat when Lotte has to suddenly leave mid-recording for a doping control.Attention! Due to a rather empty Binda starting list we split up the episode - our Binda preview will be out at the end of the week!

Everyone’s favourite emergency backup, She Rides guest and part-time co-host Connie Hayes is back on the pod — just in time to unpack the chaos of Opening Weekend.We talk through everything that happened at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, from Kasia Niewiadma's strength on the Muur to Lotte Kopecky’s bad luck at the worst possible moment, and the tough, cobbled battle at Le Samyn des Dames, where Connie found herself on the start line at the last minute.We also look ahead to a big showdown at Strade Bianche Donne, where the biggest names in the sport will go head-to-head again.

In the final week before Omloop, Saar and Kristof are joined by Charlotte Vandenberghe, team doctor at Human Powered Health, for a look behind the scenes of the women’s peloton.They talk race-day reality, concussion decisions, RED-S screening, menstrual cycles, mental health, and how teams balance performance with long-term rider wellbeing. Plus, there’s a quick cyclocross wrap-up, recent team news, and a full preview of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad as Opening Weekend finally begins.

Less than 10 days before the spring classics, Saar & Kristof chat with Maja Leye, Head of Women at Flanders Classics, to talk about the growth of women’s cycling from the inside.From equal prize money and increased TV coverage to Youth Days and building sustainable pathways for the next generation, Maja shares how Flanders Classics helped close the gap in the sport - and what challenges still lie ahead. We dive into race-day chaos, the strategy behind putting women’s races after the men’s, and what it really takes to organize classics like the Tour of Flanders and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.Plus: hot takes ahead for the Classics season, riders who will surprise and why safety remains the ultimate priority.

In this episode of She Rides, we chat with Maggie Coles-Lyster to talk about her powerful comeback from iliac artery surgery, returning to winning , and racing in the era of sprint star Lorena Wiebes. We dive into tactics, thriving in chaotic sprints, rider safety, and the culture of women’s cycling, plus Maggie’s passion for yoga and life beyond the bike. We also recap the latest action from the UAE Tour Women, cyclocross, and look ahead to the spring classics. 

In this episode, we chat with Lieselot Decroix to talk about performance, passion, and sustainability in women’s cycling. From evidence-informed coaching and athlete ownership to fueling, data, and long-term health, Lieselot explains why putting healthy humans first is the foundation of lasting performance.Plus, we recap all the latest racing action — with a generous dose of Lotte Kopecky bias added in by Saar.

In this episode of She Rides, Saar and Kristof chat with Jolien D’Hoore — Olympic medallist, former world champion, and now sports director at AG Insurance–Soudal.Jolien takes us through her journey from the peloton to the team car, reflecting on pressure, leadership, classics racing, and the mental side of winning. We talk about being in the zone, cobbles, sharing victories, and how a beautiful career came to a bittersweet end.Plus, of course, we recap all the latest racing action — from Lotte Kopecky’s killer individual pursuit time to Pieterse on a roll, and strong She Rides performances in Mallorca. With the cyclocross Worlds, Track Euros, and the UAE Tour just around the corner, the racing season is well and truly underway.

After a long break due to flu, Saar is back and chats with Francesca Selva, who returns to the podcast after more than a year.Francesca reflects on her heart issues, the long road back to racing, her summer in the US, and the tough decision to leave endurance behind. She shares why switching to sprint feels like the right move, how it’s reignited her motivation, and what she hopes this new chapter will bring — both for herself and for track cycling as a whole.

Saar and Kristof enter the new year with a bang as Elisa Longo Borghini, one of the best riders of the last decade, joins them on the podcast.From her first races inspired by her brother to winning monuments, Grand Tours and Olympic medals, Elisa looks back on a remarkable career and speaks openly about setbacks, pressure and motivation. She reflects on her lingering frustration with the World Championships, shares her unfiltered views on racing tactics, and tells us about that time in when she asked Emma Johansson how far it still was to the finish — only to learn the race wasn’t even halfway done. Along the way, Elisa dives into the evolution of women’s cycling, data versus instinct, the importance of family, and why racing to win — and nothing less remains her guiding principle.

This week Saar and Kristof look back at the Christmas period in cyclocross, with Lucinda Brand’s dominance front and center and a closer look at the riders catching the eye.They also talk about Dutch track nationals, beach racing, and other off-season action before turning their attention to 2026. From team changes to expectations, they go through the squads one by one and discuss who could really impress next season.And to wrap it all up, one conclusion is clear: Saar is in desperate need of road racing. ;) 2026, we’re ready!

This week Saar and Kristof are joined by Audrey Cordon Ragot to look back on the season with the She Rides Awards and talk through the moments that defined women’s cycling this year.From dominant performances and emotional post-race interviews to confusing UCI decisions and strong opinions on new jerseys, everything gets discussed. We highlight the riders who stood out, the moments that hurt, and the situations that left us shaking our heads.Plus: fashion police is back, we pick the best rider of the year, talk about teamwork at its best, and reflect on the stories that made this season so memorable.

This week Amalie Winther Olsen joins Saar and Kristof to talk about her journey from multiple-time Danish track champion to national paracycling coach.She shares how she fought her way through the sport without a national team, why she wants young girls to believe they can make it, and the moment coaching opened a new door — all the way to the Paralympic Games, and two medals.We get into the misconceptions around para-cycling, the importance of trust between coach and rider, and why marginal gains and nutrition matter just as much as heart.Plus: her hardest session ever, starting a new tandem project in Denmark, and her mission to bring more riders back to the track.

This week Erin Boothman joins Saar and Kristof for a fun chat about her huge year on the bike — and her step up to the Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team for 2026. At only eighteen, Erin has already won world titles on the track and taken an iconic victory at Wevelgem! She shares what it felt like to realise cycling could become her full-time career, why winning as a team hits differently, and how she stays calm when races get chaotic. Erin also opens up about the real-life side of being a young athlete: long travel days, the training sessions she actually enjoys, and the little “normal life” things that keep her balanced. We get into her race instincts, her advice for girls who feel intimidated by male-dominated clubs, and the tactical split-second that won her a Nations Cup — plus the one that didn’t. And of course: pre-race music, pizza, and why she refuses to wear cycling gloves. Plus: A very early Giro route review!  

After six months of trying to match our schedules, UAE ADQ rider Paula Blasi finally joins Saar and Kristof for a wild, honest, and surprisingly hilarious deep dive into her first full year in the WorldTour — and why her rise in cycling hashappened so fast. From discovering the sport after multiple injuries to balancing university, work,and way too much training, Paula takes us inside the chaos of the peloton, the shock of racing next to the biggest names in the world, and why she’ll always follow her feeling rather than her power meter. She shares the pressure of joining a WorldTour team so early, the lessons her teammates keephammering into her, and the reality behind that “new kid in the candy shop”energy she brings into every race.Recorded after her breakthrough season — this episode gives you everything you need to know about one of the most exciting young riders in the peloton… plus someelite cow content.

This winter track special dives into the fast, loud, and chaotic world of track racing — a part of the season that often gets overlooked while everyone focuses on cyclocross.Ida Krickau shares what it’s really like to step into the elite peloton at 19: longer races, tougher fields, school deadlines, new UCI rules, and the challenge of keeping the fun in cycling while growing up in the sport.In part two, Yuli Van Der Molen reflects on a year of crashes, comebacks, and rediscovering confidence on the track. From London and Copenhagen to the Euros, she talks about finding her rhythm again, racing in packed velodromes, and earning a new contract for 2026.A warm, honest episode about young riders learning, rebuilding, and finding joy during the winter track season.

Episode 50 brings race results, cross dominance, two rants (yes, justice for Julie!), and the unexpected but brilliant comeback of Lotte Kopecky on the track. Plus transfers, updates, and our usual bias. Rather uneventful week, solid chaos.

In episode 49 of She Rides Saar talks with Robin Farina, General Manager of Cynisca, about building real pathways to the pro women’s peloton — and why sustained support and funding matter just as much as talent. Robin shares how Cynisca is creating opportunities for riders to grow, stay in the sport, and chase their full potential.Plus: stay till the end for an extra-extended latest-news segment, where we catch up on everything we missed over the last 2.5 weeks.

After a brutal crash and a long fight with concussion symptoms, Esmee Peperkamp opens up about the hardest comeback of her life — and how she found her way back to cycling, and to herself.She talks with Saar and Kristof about the pressure to race again too soon, why concussion care in cycling needs to change, and how recovery taught her to slow down, breathe, and celebrate the small wins.From team life to gravel freedom, Esmee shares how rediscovering simple joy on the bike helped her rebuild confidence, connection, and love for the sport.

Just a few days before this year’s Gravel World Championships, gravel world champion Kim Knaeps (age group 34-39) joins Saar and Kristof to dive into what the gravel scene is really like — and how to watch it with a bit more insight.From discovering cycling during COVID to combining motherhood, work, and training. Kim talks about the pressure that came with wearing the world champion jersey, why gravel racing feels fairer than road cycling, and what makes this discipline so unique.Recorded in the lead-up to the Worlds, this episode gives you everything you need to understand to enjoy the biggest gravel race of the year.

Saar is joined by Connie Hayes — back on the podcast and back in the peloton after more than a year out injured. They talk about her return to racing and dig into the biggest stories in women’s cycling right now: from transfers and the uncertain future of Conti teams to the coolest underdog win of the season, Worlds drama, and a look ahead to the upcoming Euros.

Kim Cadzow went from swimming in New Zealand to racing her bike in Europe — a huge jump that brought culture shocks, tough lessons, and proud moments like pulling on the Kiwi national jersey. She talks about the highs, the setbacks (including her “Miss February” year), and what it really feels like to carry New Zealand on her back. We also chat through the latest women’s cycling news and look ahead to the road races at Worlds — who’s strong, who might surprise, and what to expect.

Saar and Kristof look back at a chaotic week in l’Ardèche, where strong performances were overshadowed by frustration and heartbreak. They talk about what it means when a rider is physically at their best but no longer enjoying the racing, and how pressure can have such a big influence on people. Between laughter and a few “godverdomme” moments, they also throw in some CX, race recaps and transfer talk before shifting focus to the upcoming World Championships in Rwanda.

Cycling is more than numbers on a results sheet. Karolina Perekitko opens up about how pressure shapes her racing, her self-worth, and her joy on the bike. From linking results to identity, to learning to remember how far she’s come, she shares why it’s time to talk about mental health in cycling — and why happiness matters just as much as performance. 

This week Saar and Kristof chat with Imogen Wolf, 19-year-old rider for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, to reflect on her first season in the WorldTour. From chasing childhood dreams to lining up at Paris–Roubaix and the Tour de France, Imogen shares the highs, the struggles, and the constant learning curve of stepping up from juniors to the pro peloton.She talks about the thrill of lead-outs at the Vuelta, the reality of getting dropped while still hitting PB numbers, and why Roubaix will always hold a special place in her heart. Beyond results, Imogen opens up about role models, recovery, media coverage in women’s cycling, and the dream of one day winning a rainy Roubaix.Tune in and hear from one of the brightest young riders in the peloton.

Eight months later, Saar catches up with Sarah Gigante on her strong but short season - from big wins and polka dot jerseys to beating the best, and the setback that means Sarah 4.0 is loading.

In this episode we chat with Valerie Demey, one of the most experienced riders in the women’s peloton. She first got on a bike at 13 and never looked back — racing through the early days when women often rode for nothing more than kit and a borrowed chair at the start line, to now competing in fully professional teams with buses, staff, and packed crowds. Over the years she’s lined up 13 times at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, raced countless Flemish classics, and represented Belgium on the biggest stages.Now, at 31, Valérie is riding her final season. She shares what it’s like to say goodbye to the peloton after more than a decade, her favorite memories from breakaways and Belgian races, and the evolution she’s witnessed in women’s cycling. Most importantly, she opens up about her hopes for the future — stepping into the team car as a sports director to guide and mentor the next generation.