There are moments in life that remind you just how extraordinary the journey has been.
In July 2022, as we prepared to compete in the first modern edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, I wrote about a dream that had been with me since I was 14 years old.
Bringing a team to the Tour de France was a lifelong dream, and standing on that first start line surrounded by our sponsors, dear friends, family, and colleagues was something I had imagined for decades.
Four years later, that dream has become something much larger than I ever imagined.
Today, as we prepare to return once again, my perspective has changed. What once represented the realization of a personal dream has become an appreciation for what the Tour represents for our athletes, our organization, our partners, and the future of women’s cycling.
This is not simply another race. This is the Tour de France—the most iconic event in cycling and one of the greatest sporting events in the world. Earning the opportunity to stand on that start line is one of the highest honors in our sport.
This year, the Tour begins in Switzerland before traveling through France and, for the first time in its history, climbing the legendary Mont Ventoux. These are roads and mountains that have defined cycling for generations. To see our riders competing on this historic terrain, proudly wearing the Human Powered Health jersey, is both humbling and inspiring.
Yet what makes this moment so meaningful is not simply that we are here. It is how we arrived.
This team has never taken shortcuts. Every opportunity has been earned through years of hard work, resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering belief that women’s cycling deserves to stand on the world’s biggest stage. Behind every rider is an extraordinary group of people working tirelessly behind the scenes—our staff, performance team, mechanics, soigneurs, partners, sponsors, families, friends and supporters—whose dedication makes moments like this possible.
I have the privilege of seeing that commitment every day.
Our General Manager, Ro De Jonckere, has built one of the most respected organizations in professional cycling through her integrity, vision, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Alongside her, Head of Sport Kenny Latomme has helped create a performance culture that continually challenges our athletes and staff to reach new heights.
We are also fortunate to have one of the sport’s most accomplished leaders in Magnus Bäckstedt. As a Tour de France stage winner, Paris-Roubaix champion, and the leader who guided his team to overall victory at the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, Magnus brings invaluable experience, calm leadership, and an unwavering belief in what our athletes can achieve.
Every rider who wears our jersey has earned the opportunity to be here. Their commitment, professionalism, resilience, and willingness to sacrifice for one another inspire me every single day. They remind all of us why sport matters and why investing in women continues to shape a better future.
But our purpose extends far beyond racing bicycles.
At Human Powered Health, we believe sport has the power to inspire healthier lives, advance women’s health, foster innovation, strengthen communities, and encourage people everywhere to discover what they are truly capable of achieving.
Every race is an opportunity to demonstrate that purpose. Every finish line is another chance to inspire someone to pursue a healthier lifestyle, overcome adversity, or believe that their own potential is greater than they imagined.
None of this would be possible without the extraordinary people who have believed in this journey.
To everyone at Human Powered Health, thank you for believing in our athletes, our mission, and the power of this team to create an impact far beyond sport. Your commitment to innovation, human performance, and the pursuit of better health has made us a stronger organization and a better team. Together, we continue to challenge what is possible and inspire healthier lives around the world.
I am especially grateful to Anne and Dave Wichmann for your extraordinary trust, exceptional leadership, mentorship, and friendship. Knowing you are never more than a phone call away has meant more to me than I can express. Your unwavering belief in our vision and your confidence in me personally have inspired us to think bigger, lead with purpose, and continue building something truly meaningful and impactful.
Your partnership has shaped this organization in countless ways, and I am deeply grateful for your guidance, unwavering support, and steadfast belief in what we are building together.
To our riders and staff, thank you for your sacrifices, your relentless pursuit of excellence, and your commitment to one another. You are the heart of this organization. Every training ride, every race, every victory, every setback, and every act of selfless teamwork reflects the character of this team. It is an honor to watch you represent Human Powered Health with professionalism, resilience, humility, and pride.
To our partners—past and present—thank you for believing in us and for investing in something greater than results alone. Your support has allowed us to grow this team, elevate women’s cycling, and create opportunities that extend far beyond the finish line.
Finally, to my wife, Karen, and our family, thank you for your unwavering love, encouragement, patience, and countless sacrifices. You have supported this dream through every challenge and every triumph.
None of this would have been possible without your belief in me, and I will always be grateful for the strength and perspective you have given me throughout this journey.
As we stand on the start line once again, we race for something much bigger than ourselves.
We race for every young girl who dreams of one day wearing yellow at the Tour de France.
We race for our partners who believe sport can inspire healthier lives, advance women’s health, and create lasting change.
We race for our families, our supporters, and everyone who has believed in this journey.
Most importantly, we race to inspire people to live healthier lives and reach beyond their imagined potential.
That is why we race.
Charles
