Carlotta Cipressi has taken a significant step in her cycling career by signing with the Women’s WorldTour team, Human Powered Health, until 2026. The 21-year-old Italian puncheur, known for her climbing abilities, is looking forward to the next phase of her development with the team.
“I can’t wait to get started,” Cipressi shared, reflecting on her excitement about joining the team. “When I first spoke to the team, they explained everything perfectly, and I was immediately super excited. The team builds year by year, and this is so important for my personal growth and growing together as a team.”
Carlotta Cipressi, who hails from the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, began her cycling journey at the age of six after deciding that tennis wasn’t challenging enough. Her inspiration came from watching the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France on TV, where she became enamoured with the polka dot jersey. “I was a super fan of the polka dot jersey. There was a team in Forli with the same jersey design, and I wanted to start immediately. I haven’t looked back,” she recalled.
Having spent the 2024 season with the UAE Team ADQ squad, Cipressi gained valuable experience at the Thüringen Ladies Tour and the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes. The latter, often dubbed the under-23 version of the Tour de France, saw Cipressi compete in demanding stages, including an uphill prologue and a finale atop the gravel-strewn Colle delle Finestre.
“Tour de l’Avenir was a real education,” she said, reflecting on the challenge. “Even with the gravel on Colle delle Finestre, this race tested every skill. Racing on these courses with a high level in the under–23’s is important and showed me the skills I can develop over the next few years.”
Cipressi’s development over the next season will focus not only on her stage racing but also on improving her time-trialling abilities. “I like stage racing and the team immediately understood what kind of athlete I am,” Cipressi said. “I also want to develop my time trial, as this is so important for stage racing. I want to become a well-rounded athlete.”
Team manager Kenny Latomme echoed Cipressi’s ambitions. “Every year we like to try out young talent and see how they develop,” he commented. “The development can go fast. Carlotta’s skills show that she has what it takes. The Spanish climbing block will be important for her, and she has also shown that she is strong in time trials.”
