Spanish puncheur Yurani Blanco is set to take her talents to the Women’s WorldTour, signing a contract with Human Powered Health through 2026. Blanco’s move comes on the back of an impressive 2024 season with Laboral Kutxa – Fundación Euskadi, where she claimed a series of standout results in key races across Europe.
Reflecting on her development, Blanco acknowledged the significance of this next chapter in her career: “This is a really big opportunity for me, the next step. I feel that I am ready to face the future with more ambition.”
Breakthrough year at Laboral Kutxa
2024 has been a pivotal season for Blanco, highlighted by her first professional victory at the GP Ciudad de Eibar, where she took top honours in late May. She followed that win with several high-profile performances, including a 7th place finish in the WorldTour Classic Lorient Agglomération and 2nd at the Spanish national road race championships (CNRR). Her aggressive racing style also earned her a combativity award during the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Blanco’s consistency across the year was notable, with a string of podium and top-10 finishes:
- 1st: GP Ciudad de Eibar (1.Pro)
- 7th: Classic Lorient Agglomération (1.WWT)
- 2nd: Spain National Road Race Championship (CNRR)
- 3rd: GC at Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées
- 4th: Stage 3 at Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées
- 3rd: Stage 2 at Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées
- 6th: GC at Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta del Sol
- 10th: Navarra Elite Classics (1.Pro)
Blanco’s ability to perform in mid-mountain one-day races, as well as stage races, is what caught the eye of Human Powered Health. “We think we can bring her to the next level and perform at the biggest races,” said Kenny Latomme, Team Manager.
A move towards the WorldTour
Blanco’s decision to sign with Human Powered Health reflects both her ambition and growth as a rider. Having transitioned from being a part-time cyclist only two years ago, Blanco has risen quickly through the ranks. She is eager to see what she can achieve at the WorldTour level: “I don’t give up until the end because anything can happen. That’s my philosophy.”
Her time at Laboral Kutxa provided a strong foundation, allowing her to test herself against some of the world’s best. With her new team, Blanco will have more opportunities to showcase her skills in the hilly classics and major stage races she excels in.
As she continues to learn and evolve, Blanco is set to be a valuable asset for Human Powered Health’s future campaigns.
