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.