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.