Climber Barbara Malcotti continues her journey with Human Powered Health Cycling by extending her contract through 2028.
The 26-year-old has been the team’s GC leader for much of her time with the program, recently adding a ninth-place finish in the Vuelta España Femenina to a growing palmares of Women’s WorldTour stage-race top-10s.
“Human Powered Health has offered me big opportunities to grow as a rider,” says Malcotti. “Here, I have the best support to develop more. The team believes in step-by-step growth, and this is one of the main reasons I decided to re-sign, as I need this type of environment to perform.”
That environment has helped shape not only her racing progression but also the strong sense of connection within the squad.
“I have always loved the training camps together where we get to ride with each other, get to know each other better and be a real unit in the races,” she explains.
The renewal will take Malcotti to her seventh season with Human Powered Health. In her time with the team, she scored her first professional victory at the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche, finished eighth at the 2025 Giro d’Italia Women, sixth at the UAE Tour Women, ninth at the Vuelta a Burgos, and ninth at the recent Vuelta a España Femenina.
“Barbara has been with our team since 2022, and her development since that time is one of the shining beacons of our program,” says Ro De Jonckere, General Manager. “Barbara’s commitment to our mission and values makes her an invaluable part of the team, and her WorldTour results show that she has what it takes to compete at the highest level repeatedly. We’re thrilled to continue this journey together and believe her best performances are still ahead of her.”
Having claimed a second Grand Tour GC top-ten at the weekend, Malcotti is eyeing the biggest races as the ultimate goal.
“The Grand Tour’s suit me more than one-day races, so in the upcoming seasons I will have my focus on those,” she explains. “I’m a rider who can recover quickly, so when others get tired in those big races, I have something extra to give. Winning at these races is the ultimate dream, but for now, aiming for top fives and podiums in GC at those races is the goal.”
Malcotti has witnessed significant evolution within the program during her time on the team, benefiting from visits to the Human Powered Health Performance Labs, and believes the trajectory is only continuing upward.
“The team has developed so much, and I have already seen such a big change,” she says. “I believe we have stepped up so much since I joined. The team is investing in being one of the best teams in the future, and I truly believe in that mission.”
Malcotti also hopes to contribute not only through results but by helping guide the next generation of talent.
“For me personally, I aim to inspire younger riders, so a team that invests in visibility and growth in the future of women’s cycling is a big motivation for me.”
Her journey has not been without challenges. After battling injury and uncertainty in the offseason, she emerged with renewed focus and resilience in Spain, something she hopes resonates with fans following her story.
“After my injury, I had a lot of question marks, and I didn’t know what to expect from myself, but I kept believing in my goals and focusing on my aims really helped,” she says. “This is the message I want to share with our fans. If you believe in something, even if you get sick or get injured, if you are focussed on the goal, you can get back to where you want to be.”
With clear ambitions, belief in the process, and a team continuing to invest in the future, the next chapter promises even more growth, both for Malcotti and for Human Powered Health.
