Photos: Getty Sport
Human Powered Health has signed talented WorldTour debutant Yuliia Biriukova. As well as bolstering the climbing attack, she will be an integral part of the GC aspirations of the team.
“I am very happy and looking forward to next year,” she said. “My aim is to grow as a rider in 2024. The mountains suit me best but I also want to show myself in the time trials and develop as a GC rider.”
Her uphill abilities are reflected in her palmarès. Standouts include a stage victory in the 2022 Thüringen Ladies Tour, podiums at Gran Premio Ciudad de Eibar, the Pyrénées tour and Grand Prix Mediterranean, and seventh atop the Giant of Provence at the Mont Ventoux Challenge. She also competed in the first Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
“Yuliia showed her climbing prowess in 2022 on Mont Ventoux. We have had eyes on her for a while,” said Kenny Latomme, Performance Manager. “She will develop as a climber. It’s her first time in the WorldTour so let’s see how far she will go. We will grow together.”
The 25-year-old began her cycling adventure at age 12 when a coach came to her school in Lviv, the largest city in Western Ukraine.
“I didn’t know anything about cycling,” she explains. “It wasn’t popular in my country, but I was really curious to try it and I haven’t looked back.”
The Ukrainian rider regularly represents her country, racing this year in both the World and European Championship road races. More than ever, with her homeland deeply affected by war and her own town suffering from missile strikes in October 2022. Biriukova believes it’s more important than ever to bring the Ukrainian flag to the world’s stage, representing her nation and hopefully inspiring the next generation of young athletes back home.
“There is a war in my country now, and it is a very difficult time,” she said. “As a result, it is very important for me to represent my nation in sports.”
Human Powered Health Cycling is delighted to welcome Yuliia our final new addition for 2024.
