Katia Ragusa is Down Under’s Queen of the Mountains

In her first race for Human Powered Health, Katia Ragusa scorched this very hot edition of the Santos Tour Down Under by winning the efex Queen of the Mountains jersey. The three-stage event included some super stiff climbs, including the dramatic finale up the famous Willunga Hill. Ragusa has proved that she not only has the strength and tactical nous to podium at Paris-Roubaix, but the ability to take on a peloton of world class climbers.

Ragusa took first blood on stage 1 by securing full points at the top of the two categorized climbs. She consolidated her lead on a very hilly stage 2, again by taking full points at the top of the two categorized climbs. And though her lead was already nearly insurmountable, Ragusa doggedly took full points at the top of the first climb in stage 3.

Photo credit: Getty Sport

She had initially worked her way into the final day’s early move to make sure she got the points. And even though the break was reeled in before the top of the climb, Ragusa, who along with her Human Powered Health Team were riding the lightweight OSTRO VAM, still succeeded in cresting the climb in first place.

“It’s so nice to begin with a new jersey in a new team. I think it’s amazing,” Ragusa said. “The first race is a tricky one. You don’t know the level and the feelings in the bunch, so for sure it’s nice to have these good feelings.”

Photo credit: Getty Sport

As the first race in our first year of partnership, it’s thrilling to see Human Powered Health riders have such success on Factor Bikes. The OSTRO VAM proved to be the perfect weapon in the Santos Tour Down Under. The race included not only the very difficult climbs, but also long sections of wind-swept flat as well as rolling terrain. Having a bike like the OSTRO VAM that is not only incredibly aero but also super lightweight meant that the Human Powered Health riders never felt weighted down on the climbs or struggling with the cross winds on the flats.

Similarly, the Black Inc finishing kit which not only included the premium race wheels, but also fully integrated barstem cockpit and an aero-efficient Wahoo mount meant that the Human Powered Health riders could enjoy the full Factor package that guaranteed low weight and low drag numbers.

With the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race next on the agenda for Katia Ragusa, Ruth Edwards, Audrey Cordon-Ragot, and the rest of the Human Powered Health squad currently Down Under, we’re looking forward to more great results and big emotions as the 2024 season kicks well and truly into gear.

Follow them to keep up to date with their season progress and race updates:

Human Powered Health Cycling / Official website