Cycling

Professional cyclist Noa Jansen has always held a passion to cycle at the highest level, but that love was clouded by an eating disorder that slowly stole her joy, her strength, and her sense of self. What began as rules in her head, “rewards” with food, and the praise of being thinner as an athlete, soon spiraled into a reality where she was unrecognisable to those who knew her best. Eventually, her body gave out, leaving her unable to race, and forcing her to face a truth which led to her hospitalisation and her first steps to recovery.

On this episode, Noa speaks with raw honesty about what it meant to lose not just her physical health, but the dream she had built her life around, and the courage it took to fight her way back. Her recovery was not only about eating again, but confronting the mental battles behind her disorder, surrendering to the painful process of healing, and slowly rediscovering the joy she once felt as a young girl on her bike. Along the way, she was supported by incredible mentors like Natascha Knaven founder of NXTG and Leontien van Moorsel, who helped create a safe space for her to rebuild herself and her dreams.

Today, Noa Jansen rides fiercely for the Liv Alula Jayco women’s team, carrying with her the scars of struggle and the strength of survival. In our conversation, we also speak about the ongoing pressure from the media around professional cyclists and the constant commentary on weight, something we saw at the Tour de France Femmes this year. How does Noa feel about stepping on the scale now? And what are her goals as she rides for the Liv Alula Jayco team? Noa is so incredibly open and brave about her story and her voice needs to be heard. This is a story of vulnerability, courage, and the relentless pursuit of a dream that refused to die.

Kimberly Coats has been involved in cycling development across the African continent since 2009. Along with her partner, she established the National Cycling Team of Rwanda. Over the years, she has worked in several countries, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. Currently, she is focused on developing the Benin National Cycling Team in partnership with the Benin Cycling Federation. Her primary emphasis is on promoting women’s cycling, and she has sponsored the Women’s Tour du Lunsar twice in collaboration with Team Africa Rising. Recently, she was recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in the Cycling Industry by Escape Collective.

Though Kimberly humbly describes herself as someone who simply “gets girls on bikes,” her impact goes far beyond that as a tour de force in the fight for greater opportunities and equality in African cycling. We kick things off with a candid discussion about imposter syndrome and how women can claim their space, make themselves invaluable, and even create jobs where none exist. Kimberly shares her personal journey facing the challenges of a lack of women’s races in Rwanda and the absence of women in cycling decision-making circles. We explore the cultural and societal barriers that women face, including deeply ingrained beliefs around women cycling, from misconceptions about virginity to concerns about women financially supporting their families once they are successful in the sport.

The conversation also dives into the absence of a women’s section in the Tour of Rwanda, despite its long history, and the impressive efforts being made to promote women’s cycling in countries like Benin. Kimberly offers an eye-opening perspective on the upcoming UCI World Championships in Rwanda and the ongoing debate about moving the event to another country.

Throughout the episode, Kimberly Coats challenges the dominant narratives that often portray Africa as a dangerous, overlooked continent, sharing her own powerful experiences working in African cycling and revealing the vibrant and diverse beauty of the continent. Tune in for an insightful, inspiring conversation that sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and the future of women’s (and mens) cycling in Africa.

In this podcast episode, I sit down with Yuli van der Molen, a Dutch cyclist whose passion for road and track cycling has been matched only by her incredible resilience. Formerly with the AG Insurance – NXTG U23 team and now with Proximus – Cyclis CT, Yuli’s career took a dramatic turn at the start of 2024 when she was diagnosed with cancer.

Yuli opens up about the heart-wrenching moment she received the diagnosis that would reshape her life and career. At just 20 years old, Yuli has faced the harsh reality of battling Hodgkin lymphoma, a journey that saw her through the darkest days of chemotherapy and a challenging period away from racing. Yuli candidly shares her experiences, from the emotional toll of her diagnosis to the raw reality of her treatment. She reveals the highs and lows of sharing her journey on social media, turning her personal struggle into a source of inspiration for many. Despite the end of her chemotherapy, Yuli discusses the ongoing challenges of recovery and the relentless setbacks she faces.

Driven by her dreams and goals, Yuli talks about the bittersweet process of returning to the bike, reflecting on the invaluable lessons she has learned through this ordeal. Her story is one of unyielding courage and determination, offering a poignant reminder of the strength required to overcome life’s toughest hurdles. Tune in to hear Yuli van Der Molen share her story of perseverance, hope, and the enduring spirit of a cyclist who refuses to give up.

Join us on an awe-inspiring journey with Letshego Zulu, a name etched in history as the first black woman to conquer the Absa Cape Epic. But her story doesn’t stop there. Letshego is a force of nature, a beacon of strength, and a testament to the power of determination. She is also a mother, business woman in outdoor media and the proud owner of Echelon Bike Transport. Her book, “I Choose to Live: Life after losing Gugu,” stands as a testament to her courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
I sat down with Letshego to chat about her recent completion of the Waterberg Traverse in Limpopo. Her enthusiasm for the ethos of the race is infectious, but that’s not all. Letshego opens up about her exhilarating journey as a runner-up in Survivor SA, offering a raw and intimate glimpse into the mental fortitude required to navigate the challenges of the wilderness. Discover the catalyst behind Letshego’s four-time conquest of the Absa Cape Epic as she recounts the pivotal moment when her husband, Gugu, presented her with the opportunity. It was the prospect of breaking barriers as a black woman in the race that ignited her passion, propelling her to new heights of achievement. Reflecting on her whirlwind experience at the Absa Cape Epic 2024, she shares the heart-pounding moment when she received a last-minute invitation just 48 hours before the race. Her resilience and determination shine through as she navigated the gruelling terrain with unwavering resolve, making the race cut off by only 1 second.
She leaves us with a poignant tale of her daughter’s experience in acrobatics, a reminder of the invaluable lessons we can learn from the resilience of youth. Join us for a captivating conversation filled with laughter, and passion. Above all, Letshego’s remarkable journey will leave you inspired to conquer your own mountains, both on and off the trails.

This week, professional cyclist Kim Le Court (Pienaar) joins the show to share her cycling journey. Born in Mauritius, Kim has won the Cape Town cycle tour three times, the Cape Epic, gold medals at the African Games and at the African road Championships and today she races on the Ag Insurance – Soudal team.
Kim fills us in on cycling life on the island of Mauritius. From riding on the highway (don’t get excited, the highway is small), to drinking coconuts on the sand (does this really happen?) and practicing caution when it comes to people and animals, Mauritian cycling sounds hugely entertaining. We also talk about Kim’s early “pro” years in Europe and her return to South Africa in 2017 when she took a year off and almost didn’t return to the sport she once loved. As a soccer fan and a player, the black and white ball almost led her down another career path, but her return to cycling was inevitable. She takes us into her mental space and her current space as part of the elite women’s peloton. How has she gelled with her new team? And how has she found the classics and tours this season, including her 10th place finish in Paris – Roubaix? Also, relive the emotional moment with Kim, when our favourite manager Natascha Knaven gave her the news about joining the team, after Kim had lost hope in the teams’ interest in her signing.

Women’s professional cycling has come a long way since I first started watching the sport back in 2009, and over the past year it has made even longer strides. Yet, headlines surrounding gender parity in women’s cycling still remain a stark reminder that more is needed to be done in the sport so many people love and participate in. Which is why I am so thrilled to be welcoming Natascha Knaven – van Ouden, who is the co – founder, sport manager, coach and mentor for the Ag Insurance – Soudal – Quickstep women’s team. Breaking boundaries in the sport through her passion for women’s development in cycling, Natascha is a real “tour de force.”

On the show, we discuss the gap between development cycling and the pro – peloton and how Natascha is bridging that gap through her programs and the U-23 development. We also shine a light on the importance of education, internship and work skill success for all the cyclists on her team and how this impacts sponsorship on the bike. Natascha also shares with us about her four daughters’ cycling journey’s and how she herself came in to the realm of co – founding a team with her husband Servais. What does she think of the Tour de France Femme cycling route for 2024, with its climbs and challenges? And how can the future change for the better when it comes to sponsorships, and equal opportunities for women in cycling? Join us for an exuberant conversation on crucial aspects of women’s cycling.