Henrietta Christie, one of New Zealand’s rising stars, will join EF-Oatly-Cannondale for the 2025 season. The 22-year-old climber, currently with Human Powered Health, brings added depth to the team’s climbing squad after several strong results in 2024.
“Henrietta is a young and talented climber,” said Esra Tromp, EF-Oatly-Cannondale’s General Manager. “She isn’t afraid of a challenge: living on the other side of the world didn’t stop her from finding out what she can do on the bike. She moved to Europe as a teenager to discover her talents, learn racing strategies, and pursue her dream. Our team is super happy to have Henrietta on board to strengthen our climbing squad. She is an amazing teammate on and off the bike, which we always appreciate!”
Christie had a breakthrough year in 2024, securing third place at the Gran Premio Ciudad de Eibar, as well as top ten finishes in the Tour Down Under, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Vuelta Ciclista Andalucía, and Clasica de Almeria. In addition, she has previously won the best young rider competitions at the Tour Down Under and Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche.
Looking ahead to 2025, Christie is excited to join a team where she already knows many of the riders and staff. “Emma Trott used to coach me when I was a junior and we have a really good relationship,” she said, referring to the team’s performance manager. “Last year, I used to go to Alison Jackson’s house to bake because I didn’t have air conditioning. I love to bake but the oven made my apartment too hot, so Alison said I could go over and use her oven but there was a cookie tax, which was pretty fair!”
For Christie, baking has been a crucial part of her journey into cycling. “I used to sell home-baked cakes before I came to Europe. That’s how I saved up to join my first team here. The money I earned paid for the flights and spending money. I was typically making two cakes a week and that was enough because I also needed time to train. I would never rush the cakes. I always wanted them to turn out perfectly.”
Her meticulous approach to baking is mirrored in her preparation for racing. “I love the feeling of being competitive, but what motivates me is that I want to do well. Equally, I want my team and my teammates to do well. I love working for other people and I love having opportunities as well. And I absolutely love the feeling of knowing I did absolutely everything I could have done at the end of the day. That satisfaction is so motivating.”
Christie has already set her sights on key races next year. “Kim Cadzow and I both plan to race the New Zealand national championships, so it would be really special if we can bring that jersey to the team. I don’t know my program yet, but I’d love to race well at the Tour Down Under and, of course, the spring classics, especially the Ardennes. I love the Ardennes. I love the craziness of them, where so much can happen. That kind of racing, plus the punchy climbs, is so much fun.”
