Letizia Paternoster has signed for the 2027 season, with the 27-year-old joining the team through 2028.
A proven WorldTour competitor, Paternoster joins from Liv AlUla Jayco and brings experience across the Classics and Grand Tours, as well as a particular passion for the spring one-day races.
“I can see this team is super unique, and they have a really strong power inside,” Paternoster said. “I also felt the environment around is really prepared. And the thing that makes me most excited is that they have the potential to be one of the best teams.”
That potential was a major attraction for Paternoster, who sees a strong connection between the team’s ambitions and her own desire to continue developing.
“To be part of this big project is, of course, exciting,” she said. “For sure they have also big goals, and I feel that there is a good connection with their goal and with my goal to become stronger and to grow, to grow as much as I can.”
Paternoster can play an important role as Human Powered Health continues to strengthen its presence in the one-day races. Podium finishes at In Flanders Fields – In Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen, as well as fourth place in this year’s Amstel Gold Race, show the breadth of her quality.
“She is an incredibly talented and versatile rider, with proven speed and the ability to compete at the highest level,” said Ro De Jonckere, General Manager. “One area where we feel we can continue to grow as a team is in the one-day races and the Classics. We believe Letizia can play an important role in helping us take that next step.”
Paternoster’s ability to perform across different types of terrain is central to what makes the signing such an exciting fit as another option in some of the biggest races of the season.
“Her versatility and ability to perform on more demanding terrain make her a great fit for both the hectic Flemish Classics and the hillier one-day races,” De Jonckere said. “We believe she can help put Human Powered Health even more on the map in those events.”
For Paternoster, there is no question which part of the calendar she is already looking forward to most.
“For sure, the spring season is my favorite,” she said. “I’m really looking already for it. Omloop Nieuwsblad, Flanders and Amstel, that’s my favorite race. So Belgium style and the Netherlands style, and of course the cobbles.”
Her experience extends beyond the Classics, with Paternoster having a stint in the red jersey at the 2025 Vuelta a España Femenina.
“At the same time, Letizia has shown that she can be competitive in Grand Tours, particularly in those stages where the terrain is demanding and the pure sprinters have been put under pressure before the finish,” De Joncekere said. “That ability to get over the climbs and still have the speed to compete for the win is something that can be incredibly valuable for us.”
That drive to improve also aligns with Human Powered Health’s focus on performance and rider development, particularly at the network of Performance Labs.
“The approach they have with the testing, and also the bike, all the stuff like that, it’s amazing to see how they are focused on it, and they want to make the best for us,” said Paternoster. “There are also great coaches in the team that can give me something more on my journey.”
A multi-world championship medalist on the track, including gold in the elimination race in 2021, Paternoster’s journey began at just six years old via BMX and downhill. Her parents initially hoped she might take up dance, but she had other ideas. After repeatedly asking to ride, she was eventually introduced to a small local team in Cles connected to former world champion Maurizio Fondriest.
“I was always touching a bike,” she recalled. “When I was on the bike, I never wanted to stop pedalling. “I felt super happy. And then I improved and, in the end, I was happy because a dream became true. To see it back now, I can tell myself, ‘Yeah, good job, Leti. You believed in it, and then you made it happen.’”
Paternoster also hopes to impart these experiences with the team.
“Inside me, I have a lot of determination. I can give back to the team,” Paternoster said. “I’m really, really hungry to take a lot of dreams and bring this on the team and give motivation to everybody to go for it.”
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