She Rides

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.

Clara Koppenburg’s cycling career started late but took off fast — from a local club in Germany to racing the world’s biggest climbs. But in 2018, chasing peak performance turned into something darker: an eating disorder and Red-S. As the kilos dropped, her results improved… until the cost became too high. She lost her period for nearly six years, broke her hip twice, and watched her bone density collapse.In this open conversation, Clara explains how she got caught in the “lighter is faster” trap, the toll it took on her body and mind, and the long, messy road to recovery she’s still on — a process that’s made her happier and healthier, but also left her feeling “punished” in a numbers focused sport. She talks about the role teams played, why support for recovering riders matters, and how she’s learning to value life beyond the bike.Now, as she continues her recovery and searches for a team for next season, Clara hopes her story will show other riders that choosing health is never the wrong decision.This episode contains discussion of eating disorders, Red-S, and related health issues.

After a tough Tour de France Femmes, Lotte Claesjoins Saar to reflect on illness, crashes, and the mental battle of a race that didn’t go to plan. The Omloop HetNieuwsblad winner talks about riding through setbacks, the power of the crowd, and the growing pressure around weight in women’s cycling. She shares honest thoughts on Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Demi Vollering, and why balance mattersmore than ever. With her team’s future uncertain, Lotte also opens up about thestruggle to find a new contract — even after a very solid season.A raw, real chat with one of Belgium’s bestclimbers.

In the last episode of Saar on Tour, Saar - is joined by Connie Hayes to unpack a wild and emotional Queen stage. From spray paint mishaps and dodgy 5G to heartache on descents and heartfelt cheering, this finale captures it all. They dive into Sarah’s grit, Van der Breggen’s big move, and the Tour’s unforgettable crowds. It’s a wrap filled with reflections, rider love, and a bittersweet goodbye to nine days of racing highs and lows.

Saar reports from 4 km before the final finish, reflecting on stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes. From Gigante’s bold attack to Ferrand-Prévot’s move into yellow, she shares race insights, personal moments in the mountains, and the atmosphere on tour.

Saar checks in from Col du Plainpalais after a rough morning crash but stays upbeat about the Tour. She talks about Lotte Kopecky making the break, Maeva Squiban winning her second stage in a row, and solid teamwork from AG Insurance. There’s also a breakdown of GC changes, shoutouts to strong rides, and a look ahead to what's next. Honest, personal, and full of behind-the-scenes insight from the ground.

We dig into how Julie van de Velde controlled nearly an entire Category 1 climb, setting the pace like a pro. Margot stunned everyone (maybe even herself) by finishing 6th among the GC riders—yes, a classics rider climbing with the best. And Sarah? Holding steady in the overall, navigating tricky descents and staying right where she needs to be ahead of the big mountain days.Sigrid joins to unpack the stage dynamics, how the peloton handled the break, and what to expect when the Tour hits the high climbs. Plus, yes—Lotte Kopecky casually handing over a signed bib before the start.

In today’s episode, Saar reflects on an early GC battle, a day full of crashes, and standout performances — including a strong ride from Sarah, our She Rides of the Day. We take a closer look at AG Insurance’s impressive run so far, the atmosphere on the ground, and a few unexpected behind-the-scenes moments.Plus: a Zwift goody bag surprise, VIP views, and why this stage was a turning point in the Tour.

Stage 4 of the Tour brought sprint chaos, big crowds, and a tough day onthe road. Saar shares what it was like pushing through while feeling under theweather, navigating packed fan zones, and watching the race unfold from theground. Wiebes did what Wiebes does best, another strong break trying to beatSDWorx, and Faulkner’s rough luck continued. There’s a sweet finish-line momentwith Aude Biannic and her kid, a shoutout from across the street, andreflections on what it means when women’s cycling finally gets the crowd itdeserves. Plus, a look ahead at a stage that screams breakaway.

Sprinters, crashes, and a whole lot of She Rides energy. From a chaotic finish in Angers to standout moments on and off the bike — including Margot stealing hearts with a baguette — we break down stage vibes, team tactics, and the emotional rollercoaster that was today’s Tour de France Femmes.

In this episode, Saar shares what it was like on the ground during stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes—from early wake-ups to the lack of sunshine to big crowds and cheering on the riders near the start and finish line.She and Tim talk about Mavi Garcia’s amazing solo win—making her the oldest rider ever to win a stage—and how Kim Le Court took the yellow jersey. They also chat about how the She Rides riders are doing!Saar also speaks about the pressure on Lotte Kopecky, and how media criticism doesn’t help when riders are already going through a tough time. A mix of fun race moments and real talk about what happens behind the scenes.-> Tomorrow looks like a sprint—can anyone beat Wiebes?

Live from Monréac, Saar recaps a first stage that had it all — early crowds, tough climbs, crashes, comebacks, and one perfectly timed sprint from Marianne Vos. She saw the moment, went all in… and yes — Vos is boss. In this episode:• Reusser’s tough day and why stepping off the bike can be the smartest call• Big rides from the “comeback crew” — not the youngest, but still thrilling to watch• Standout underdogs like Eline Jansen making their mark• A call for more human sports media: not every rough day needs a headline• Côte de Cadoudal energy, roadside chaos, and freshly painted roads

In this special Tour de France Femmes preview, we dive deep into every stage,every contender, and every chaotic possibility ahead of the most excitingwomen’s race of the year. Originally set to feature last year’s Lantern Rouge, planstook a sudden turn — our planned guest had completely unsolvable internetissues, and Kristof faced a last-minute work crisis. But no stress: hero ConnieHayes, who you might remember from some episodes ago, jumped in and was an incredible interim co-host.Together, Saar and Connie unpack: All eight stages, from punchy sprints to brutal mountain climbsWhich sprinters can survive, who’s aiming for yellow, and the dark horses to watchPredictions from our She Rides guests — some bold, some biased, all brilliantThe emotional side of the sport: injuries, media pressure, and resilienceWhy growing women's cycling results in some big names staying homeWith behind-the-scenes insights from "Saaron Tour" and the perfect mix of analysis and unfiltered fan excitement,this is your go-to preview for the Tour de France Femmes. Grab your predictions sheet, hit play, and gethyped

Petra Stiasny didn’t grow up dreaming of the peloton — in fact, she didn’t even know competitive women’s cycling existed. Now, she’s a standout climber for Roland Cycling Team and a rising talent in the world tour.She joins us to share her unique journey into the sport, her first pro win, and what it’s like learning everything from scratch — including how QOM points actually work. We also discuss her love for mountainous races, her studies in nutrition science, and the structural challenges still facing women’s cycling.Of course, we also cover the latest race news — with more well-deserved Sarah Gigante praise — and wrap things up with a very hot take from Petra on her Tour de France Femmes podium prediction. The countdown to the TDFF is officially on!