Human Powered Health has completed its first new signing for the 2023 season in the form of Alice Barnes from Canyon//SRAM Racing. The 27-year-old British all-rounder will add strength and depth to the classics squad, and signs on a two year deal through 2024.
A rider who is strong in a sprint, on tough rolling roads and in time trials, Barnes has shown her extensive abilities on multiple occasions in Women’s WorldTour races as well as winning the double in her national championships in 2019 and in 2022, winning the points jersey at the EasyToys Bloeizone Fryslân Tour.
“I am really looking forward to new challenges with Human Powered Health,” Barnes said. “I feel I have learnt a lot over the last five years and throughout my racing career so far,” she added. “I like the steps that the program has been making the last few years and feel it is a nice place for me to be able to continue developing, not only myself but to also help others to make the step up.”
Growing up in Oxfordshire, England as part of a cycling family, Barnes was never too far away from two wheels. Having traveled up and down the country racing with her siblings, Barnes joined the esteemed British Cycling talent program in 2009, and raced mainly mountain bikes until turning professional on the road in 2016. Ever since, Barnes has become one of the most recognizable names in British women’s cycling.
“Alice will bring in-race leadership qualities to our squad,” said women’s team director Joanne Kiesanowski. “Her experience from racing at the highest level for many seasons will be invaluable,” she added.
A rider with many strings to her bow, Barnes particularly enjoys the races in the first half of the season. “I love the classics because of the excitement the races have behind them and the variation that there is,” she explains. “The weather around this time of year really suits me as well as the terrain in the flatter races.”
Off the bike, Barnes enjoys cooking for friends and family as well as, “riding into town on my fixie for dinner and gelato.”
She also has a passion for the CRY Cardiac Risk in the Young charity, a health cause she has a personal connection to.
“I lost a friend at a young age suddenly, and this charity gives young people free heart scans which I think is really important.”
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Human Powered Health looks forward to welcoming Barnes to the squad. Stay tuned for another rider announcement very soon.
