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© 2025 Saar De Reu and Kristof De Muynck
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The podcast where Women’s Cycling Takes the Lead!
Powered by KDM Endurance Coaching, hosts Saar De Reu and Kristof De Muynck dive into the world of women’s cycling, from cyclocross mud to velodrome speed and the endurance of road racing.
With previews, reviews, and interesting guest, 'She Rides' brings you closer to the action and stories behind the sport.
Powered by KDM Endurance Coaching, hosts Saar De Reu and Kristof De Muynck dive into the world of women’s cycling, from cyclocross mud to velodrome speed and the endurance of road racing.
With previews, reviews, and interesting guest, 'She Rides' brings you closer to the action and stories behind the sport.
71 Episodes
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
In this episode, rising British star Cat Ferguson joins Saar and Kristof to reflect on her whirlwind journey from junior cycling to competing in the World Tour with Movistar at just 19 years old.Cat shares how she found her way to the bike, why she never doubted she wanted to be a professional athlete, and what it was like to sign a World Tour contract while still in school. She opens up about the pressures of going pro so young, the differences between junior and elite racing, and how she’s adapted to team life, including learning Spanish, sleeping in altitude tents, and adjusting to 9 p.m. dinners.The conversation covers her standout moments from the season so far, including riding the Vuelta, her first under-23 race coming up, and her hopes to race the World Championships in Rwanda. Cat also speaks about the lack of under-23 infrastructure in women’s cycling and the need for more development opportunities for young riders.This episode also includes a Giro Donne recap. With behind-the-scenes insights, honest answers, and a glimpse of Cat’s ambitions—including Olympic dreams and future classics success—this is a must-listen!
This week on She Rides, we’re joined by cycling commentator and new author Tim de Vries for a chat full of stories, passion, and the love of racing. Tim talks about how he got hooked on cycling watching Marianne Vos zoom ahead, and what it’s like working behind the scenes at Eurosport, getting ready for every twist, castle, and cobblestone of a big race.He also tells us about his new book, which shines a light on the forgotten history of women’s cycling — especially the Tour de France Femmes — and how he helped bring those old stories back into the spotlight.With nationals week just wrapped up, we dive into some of the big moments from across the races.Then we jump into the Giro Women preview: the stage routes, the top riders, time trial favorites, and why this race might be too tough for the sprinters. Expect thoughts on Reusser, Kopecky, Longo Borghini, and some of the overlooked outsiders.And of course, we talk more about Tim’s journey and his passion for cycling.Want to buy the book? -> https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/-/9300000206800956/
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