The 2025 season was undeniably tough for Human Powered Health, with limited victories despite their hard work. But don't write them off just yet! The 2026 season is already showing promise, and a key part of their potential resurgence lies in their equipment: a powerful combination of Factor bikes. Let's dive into Marit Raaijmakers' unique setup, featuring both the cutting-edge Factor One aero bike and the versatile Ostro VAM.
While the team managed only a national championship title (through Kathrin Schweinberger) and a single UCI 1.1 victory (Thalita De Jong at the Trofeo Binissalem-Andratx) in 2025, resulting in a bottom-of-the-WorldTour-rankings finish alongside the relegated Roland-Le Dévoluy team, the tides are turning. At the recent Women’s Tour Down Under, Nina Buijsman secured a noteworthy sixth-place finish in the general classification. This achievement was significantly supported by the efforts of 26-year-old Marit Raaijmakers, who is now embarking on her fifth season in the WorldTour with Human Powered Health.
Raaijmakers herself began hinting at her stage-racing capabilities during the 2025 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Femení. She consistently placed within the top 10 on two of the race's three stages, ultimately finishing the event in a respectable 15th place overall in the general classification. Her performance highlighted her growing strength and tactical acumen in challenging stage races.
Since 2025, equipment changes across the professional cycling peloton have been relatively subtle. However, Human Powered Health has gained a significant advantage through its long-standing partnership with Factor, now providing them with the brand-new Factor One aero bike. This bike represents a substantial technological leap and offers a competitive edge in races where aerodynamic efficiency is paramount. But here's where it gets controversial... some riders are opting for a different Factor model depending on the course profile.
The Factor One made its first competitive appearance at the Critérium du Dauphiné in June of last year, but its official launch didn't occur until December. As is typical with new aero bike releases, Factor boldly claims that the One is the fastest and most aerodynamically advanced bike currently available. While this assertion is, of course, subject to ongoing debate and real-world testing, the One undeniably stands out for its distinctive and somewhat unconventional design. Its most notable feature is the wide-set fork legs, which have drawn comparisons to the Hope/Lotus HB.1 track bike, famously used by the Team GB squad in track cycling events. This design is intended to improve airflow around the front wheel, reducing drag and enhancing overall speed.
At the Tour Down Under, Raaijmakers had the luxury of choosing between two high-performance Factor bikes: the One and the Ostro VAM. While the One is specifically engineered for aerodynamic performance, the Ostro VAM is a more versatile all-rounder. And this is the part most people miss... the Ostro VAM isn't just a backup; it's a strategic choice for certain types of courses. The Ostro VAM proved its value on stage three, where the double ascent of the challenging Corkscrew Road climb favored a bike that excelled in both climbing and descending. The Ostro VAM's lighter weight and responsive handling made it the natural choice for this particular stage. This demonstrates the importance of having the right tool for the job, even at the highest levels of professional cycling.
So, what do you think? Is the Factor One truly the "fastest" aero bike, or is the Ostro VAM's versatility more valuable in the long run? Could a combination of both be the key to Human Powered Health's success? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
