Thalita de Jong will stay with Human Powered Health through 2028, continuing a partnership that has grown stronger through two seasons.
Having joined for the 2025 season, de Jong quickly became an important part of the team, winning Trofeo Binissalem-Andratx on her third day of racing. Her experience, versatility and determination have contributed widely, while her own progression has seen her become an increasingly important stage-race rider.
The 32-year-old has added strong performances across stage races and one-day events, including her 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift campaign, in which she finished 13th overall and performed strongly day-to-day, including up Mont Ventoux.
“I am happy to stay with the team for another two years,” says De Jong. “I have a good feeling with the riders and staff and am always happy to be around these people. We are really a team, and we all care about each other, helping each other and being there for each other. I can be myself in the team, and that is the most important thing.”
That sense of belonging has developed alongside a period of significant growth for the programme. De Jong has experienced victories, podium battles and top-10 finishes, but also tough periods of adversity.
“In good but also in less good times we are there for each other, and that makes us stronger,” she explains. “I am happy that I could bring my experience to the team, and it’s nice to hear that I brought the team a step further.”
Thalita’s skill set goes far beyond the bike.
“What I value most about Thalita goes far beyond what she can do on the bike. She has had some tough moments over the last two years, but I have always admired the way she keeps fighting and keeps believing,” says Ro De Jonckere, General Manager. “Giving up simply is not in her character. At the same time, we have seen some really strong performances from her and how much she has continued to develop as a rider, especially in stage races.”
These attributes stand her in good stead going into the next phase.
“That combination of resilience, experience and ambition makes her a very important part of our team. And just as importantly, she is the kind of person who genuinely cares about the team,” continues De Jonckere. “That is exactly what we want to stand for. We have built a strong relationship over the past two seasons, and I am very happy that Thalita will be with us until 2028. I’m looking forward to seeing her continue to challenge herself and, hopefully, share many more good moments and successes.”
For de Jong, becoming a better rider has been closely connected to learning how to race collectively. The challenges she has faced with injury and illness have reinforced the qualities that have defined her career.
“My character makes me strong and defines who I am,” she says. “Giving up is not an option.”
That determination will now carry into the next chapter alongside a strengthened roster.
“I would certainly like to aim for a strong general classification in a few stage races, while balancing opportunities to race for stage wins in other events.”
The Human Powered Health Performance Labs will remain an important part of that process. The team uses detailed physiological and movement testing, including VO2 max, lactate threshold, DXA, strength, bike-fit and functional movement assessments, to establish individual baselines and help tailor training, nutrition and recovery.
“The Performance Labs are really helpful because you get a lot of information about yourself as a rider,” says de Jong. “It gives us a good baseline and helps the team understand where we are and where we can improve. It shows how much the team invests in us, not only to perform better, but also to stay healthy and understand our bodies.”
For de Jong, the next two seasons are therefore about building on a foundation that is already strong, trust in her teammates, trust in the process and an unwavering commitment to keep moving forward. With her contract now secured through 2028, there is plenty more to build together.
Photos: GettySport, HPHCycling
