American climber Kira Payer will take on European racing for the first time in 2025 after signing with Farto-BTC Women’s Team. The 25-year-old, who recently celebrated her first UCI win, caught the eye of the Portuguese team with her impressive performances throughout 2024.
Payer’s standout moment came at the Vuelta Femenina a Guatemala, where she claimed victory on the second stage back in mid-March. Her climbing prowess was further highlighted by a second-place finish in the mountain classification and fifth overall at the Central American race. These results, alongside top-15 finishes in the Grand Prix MOPT and Grand Prix Presidente, solidified her reputation as a rising talent in the peloton.
Reflecting on her signing, Payer shared her excitement about competing in Europe for the first time. “Joining Farto-BTC is an incredible opportunity to develop as a rider. I’m looking forward to learning from experienced teammates and taking on new challenges in European races,” she said.
Photo Credit: Farto-BTCIsabella Bertold renews with Farto-BTC for another year
Canadian rider Isabella Bertold will continue her journey with Farto-BTC Women’s Team in 2025 after renewing her contract. The 33-year-old, known for her consistency in mountainous terrain, has delivered strong performances across Europe and North America this year.
Bertold’s season highlights included a 12th-place finish at the Redlands Classic in California during April and 14th at the Pionera Race in September. She also competed in the Tour of the Gila, placing 16th in two stages of the challenging race.
Farto-BTC praised Bertold for her reliability and climbing strength, which have been assets to the team during demanding UCI races. “Isabella has shown she is a key member of our squad, especially on mountainous courses. We are delighted to continue working with her in 2025,” a team representative said.
The addition of Payer and the retention of Bertold signal Farto-BTC’s intent to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season. With both climbers set to feature prominently in the team’s plans, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for the Portuguese outfit.
