Kathrin Schweinberger, the two-time Austrian national champion, has signed with Human Powered Health for the 2025 season, marking an exciting new chapter in her cycling career. The 27-year-old sprinter and all-rounder will be with the team through 2026, bringing her experience and success from a strong 2024 season, which included a victory at Dwars door de Westhoek and several other impressive results.
Reflecting on her upcoming move, Schweinberger shared her excitement about the future. “It feels like this is a new chapter for me,” she said. “I am really happy to get this opportunity. From our first meeting on, my motivation has been super high.” Once she joins Human Powered Health, Schweinberger will take on a dual role as a second sprinter and a lead-out rider, responsibilities she’s eager to take on.
Her decision to sign with Human Powered Health follows a strong 2024 season where she not only demonstrated her sprinting skills but also developed into a more well-rounded rider. “I love to sprint,” she noted, “but I’ve put my focus on getting stronger and not just waiting for the sprint, but to be a better all-rounder with higher power output.”
Kenny Latomme, Team Manager at Human Powered Health, expressed confidence in what Schweinberger will bring to the team. “Kathrin is ready for that next step,” he said. “Her role will be a combination of our second sprinter and a lead-out for Daria. In big races this year she did brilliant lead-outs for her teammates, and we know that she can finish fast herself.”
Schweinberger’s versatility is expected to be a significant asset in the team’s future campaigns, particularly in one-day races where her sprinting power will be crucial. She’s particularly looking forward to contributing in races like Gent-Wevelgem and Nokere Koerse, which are among her favourites. “I want to contribute to the team, not only for my results but for the team’s success because this brings me a lot of joy,” she added.
A key to her success in 2024 was a shift in mindset, something Schweinberger believes has been crucial to her confidence and performance. “I’ve changed my mindset to be more relaxed,” she explained. “I focused on enjoying riding the bike, which sounds cliché, but in the end, it helps me in the races.” Schweinberger’s journey to this point has been shaped by a unique sporting background. She originally pursued alpine skiing before transitioning to cycling alongside her twin sister, Christina. “We started ski racing, and then our neighbour told us to use the bike in summer for endurance training,” she recalled. “We got road bikes, joined our local club and suddenly we had our first wins and made the full switch from ski racing to road racing. We never looked back.”
Even off the bike, Schweinberger continues to seek out new challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her sister took up paragliding, a hobby that reflects her adventurous nature. “We got the license for this, bought paragliders and hike and flight,” she shared. “So we hike up the mountain and then fly down. It is something I always look forward to in the off-season.”
