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.