Dutch teenager Fee Knaven will step up to Women’s WorldTour level in 2027 after signing a two-year contract with Human Powered Health.
The 19-year-old will join from UAE Development Team and has agreed a deal running through to the end of 2028. It continues a busy period of recruitment for Human Powered Health, who have already confirmed the arrivals of Marta Lach and Amalie Dideriksen for 2027.
Knaven has spent 2026 racing a varied calendar with UAE Development Team, showing particular promise in races where time trialling and shorter climbs can play a significant role. She finished seventh at Festival Elsy Jacobs à Garnich in May and eighth in the opening 18.4km individual time trial at the Vuelta a Extremadura Femenina in March.
“I am super excited to join Human Powered Health,” Knaven said. “This is a big step up for me from continental level to WorldTour level, and I’m excited to make the transition with this professional team.”
Knaven sees stage races and time trials as her route forward
Knaven’s development is still at an early stage, but there is already a reasonably clear direction to her strengths. She describes herself as a rider who particularly enjoys stage races, especially those containing a time trial and shorter climbs, while improving against the clock is one of the areas she wants to prioritise as she moves into the WorldTour.
Her eighth place at the Vuelta a Extremadura was an encouraging indication of that potential. Racing against established WorldTour opposition, Knaven finished 44 seconds behind stage winner Zoe Bäckstedt and inside the top 10 on a course long enough to provide a meaningful test of her time-trial ability.
The seventh place at Festival Elsy Jacobs à Garnich added another dimension. Rather than relying on one standout result, her 2026 season has been about building experience across different race types as she prepares for the much greater demands of a full WorldTour programme.
“I’m still finding my way, but the races I like most now are stage races, preferably with a time trial, and the races with some little climbs,” Knaven explained. “I am looking forward to developing my time trial more and just riding as a team and helping my teammates.”
Human Powered Health investing in another young rider
Knaven’s signing fits neatly into the longer-term direction of Human Powered Health’s women’s programme.
The team’s backing has already been extended through to 2028, with management outlining ambitions to establish Human Powered Health among the leading teams in women’s cycling. Recruitment has reflected that approach, combining experienced riders capable of contributing immediately with younger prospects who can be developed over several seasons.
General manager Ro De Jonckere said Knaven’s willingness to learn was as important as the ability she has already demonstrated.
“Fee is a young rider with a lot of potential, and we are very excited to welcome her,” De Jonckere said. “What stood out to us is not only her talent and ability on the bike, but also her ambition and willingness to keep learning and developing.”
Human Powered Health have taken a similar approach with other young riders in recent seasons, including Titia Ryo’s step up to WorldTour level. Knaven represents another longer-term investment rather than a signing expected to deliver major results immediately.
“As a team, we are committed to building for both the present and the future,” De Jonckere said. “Alongside bringing in experienced riders who can immediately help us compete at the highest level, it is equally important for us to identify and develop the next generation of talent. We believe Fee fits perfectly into that vision.”
A product of the UAE development pathway
Knaven has spent this season with UAE Development Team, part of a structure that has increasingly become a pathway into professional women’s cycling.
The squad has recruited and developed a growing number of young riders in recent seasons, including riders such as Febe Jooris, who made the move from the development programme into UAE Team ADQ’s WorldTour squad for 2026.
Knaven will instead continue her progression elsewhere, with Human Powered Health offering her the opportunity to establish herself at the highest level over the next two seasons.
There is no expectation that she arrives as a finished WorldTour rider. At 19, adapting to longer races, deeper fields and the demands of a much larger international calendar will be part of the process.
“Fee is still at the beginning of her professional career, but we see a lot of qualities that give us confidence in what she can become,” De Jonckere said. “Our goal will be to give her the right environment, support and opportunities to continue her development without putting unnecessary pressure on her. We are excited to be part of that journey and to see how far we can go together.”
Another Knaven reaches the professional peloton
Cycling has surrounded Knaven from an early age. She is one of four sisters from a well-known Dutch cycling family and began riding at the age of six before progressing through national competition and into international racing.
Her 2025 season included second place in the Dutch under-23 individual time trial championship, further evidence of why the discipline has become an important part of her development.
The move to Human Powered Health is therefore less about one breakthrough result than a body of performances suggesting there is considerably more to come. Her profile as a young all-rounder with an interest in stage racing and time trials gives the team several possible directions in which to develop her.
Knaven will officially join Human Powered Health for the 2027 season, with her contract running through to the end of 2028.
