British continental team DAS-Hutchinson have confirmed Meike Uiterwijk Winkel as their final signing ahead of the 2026 season, completing their roster with a rider coming off the strongest year of her professional career.
The 26-year-old Dutch rider joins from Italian outfit BePink-Imatra-Bongioanni after a breakthrough 2025 campaign that saw her step firmly into the spotlight across one-day races and stage racing at UCI level. For DAS-Hutchinson, the move represents a targeted addition of a rider who has already shown she can deliver consistent results, and who now has the opportunity to build again in a more structured environment.
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyA career-defining season in 2025
Uiterwijk Winkel’s 2025 season marked a clear step forward compared to her previous years in the peloton. Racing with BePink gave her regular opportunities in mixed calendars, and she responded with a string of top-10 results across a variety of race profiles.
Her standout result came at the Volta NXT Classic, where she finished 2nd in a strong international field. That performance set the tone for the season and was followed by a podium on stage 2 of the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa, where she went on to finish inside the top 10 on multiple stages and claim the points classification. Across the Italian stage race, she demonstrated both consistency and resilience, finishing 3rd on one stage and 13th on another while remaining competitive throughout the week.
Away from stage racing, Uiterwijk Winkel also delivered in one-day events. A 5th place at the Grote Prijs Yvonne Reynders, 6th at the Egmont Cycling Race and 9th at the GP Lucien Van Impe highlighted her ability to place herself well in aggressive races. She also showed she could compete at WorldTour level, finishing 12th at the Copenhagen Sprint and placing 11th on a stage of the UAE Tour earlier in the season.
While she did not record a victory, the breadth of results across different terrains underlined a rider who was consistently in the mix and steadily raising her level.
Building on foundations laid in 2024
The progress seen in 2025 did not arrive out of nowhere. During her time with GT Krush Rebel Lease in 2024, Uiterwijk Winkel had already begun to show signs of upward momentum. Top-10 finishes at races such as the Antwerp Port Epic Ladies and solid stage results at Gracia Orlová hinted at her potential to make the next step with the right opportunities.
The move to BePink provided that platform, offering her exposure to a wider calendar and more defined leadership roles. The result was a season that established her as a reliable finisher and an increasingly tactically aware rider, capable of reading races and positioning herself effectively in finales.
What the move to DAS-Hutchinson offers
For DAS-Hutchinson, signing Uiterwijk Winkel is a calculated decision rather than a gamble. She arrives with proven form from 2025 and a clear trajectory of improvement. The team gains a rider who can deliver depth across one-day races and stage events, while also contributing to broader tactical goals.
From Uiterwijk Winkel’s perspective, the move offers stability and a chance to double down on the progress she has already made. At 26, she is entering what should be her prime years, and another season of consistent results could put her firmly on the radar of higher-tier teams.
Looking ahead to 2026
The challenge for Uiterwijk Winkel in 2026 will be to convert consistency into podiums, and potentially her first professional victory. Replicating her 2025 level across a similar calendar would already mark success, but another step forward could see her pushing closer to the front of major one-day races and playing a more decisive role in stage racing.
For DAS-Hutchinson, completing their roster with a rider coming off a career year sends a clear signal of intent. The team adds experience, reliability and upward momentum in one move, while Uiterwijk Winkel gains an environment focused on development and opportunity.
If the trajectory continues, this signing may come to be seen not just as the final piece of the puzzle for 2026, but as a move that opens the door to even bigger opportunities beyond it.
