Jessenia Meneses, born in 1995 in Medellín, is set to join Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi for the 2024 season. This Colombian cyclist has signed a one-year deal, bringing with her both experience and skill.
Her inclusion not only boosts the team’s competitiveness but also adds cultural depth. The team members can learn from diverse cycling traditions and lifestyles. Therefore, her arrival is set to benefit and support the younger Basque riders in their development.
In 2023, Meneses had notable performances, finishing fourth in the GP Eibar and 11th in the Vuelta a Andalucia. She also clinched the Queen of the Mountains jersey in the latter. Recently, she secured an 11th-place finish in the Tour of Colombia. Going back to 2013, she took fourth place in the Junior World Championship. She’s no stranger to European cycling – she rode for an Italian team back in 2014 and now will be rejoining the European circuit with the Basque team, after her stint with American teams. This year, she’s been riding for the continental team, Colombia Pacto Por El Deporte, where she’s been on and off for the past four seasons. Moreover, she has taken part in two editions of the Giro Donne during her career.
“Being in Europe is one of the dreams I have worked for for many years and precisely being at Laboral Kutxa is something that motivates me a lot. It makes me very happy to belong to this team and wear this new jersey. That’s why I really appreciate the opportunity they give me and I hope to contribute to the growth of the team. I am a climber, but I feel that I can defend myself on all types of terrain; I am combative and ambitious. Next year, I hope to do things in the best way looking for the opportunity to be able to obtain good results in the races and, at a collective level, be an important support that gives my teammates confidence.”
Jessenia Meneses
