The women's cycling season opened about a month and a half ago, it seems too early for initial assessments, yet Barbara Malcotti has already made her mark and demonstrated that she has the right numbers. 2025 began with a different spirit, with an even stronger desire to challenge herself; the athlete from Trento is in her fourth year with Human Powered Health, which is gradually helping her grow, giving her experience and responsibility.

Barbara has never made proclamations, always moving with consistency and following the rule that if you place one brick after another, results become visible, and soon everyone, even the most distracted, will notice. After her debut in Australia, she gained confidence in her abilities. In UAE, she secured a fifth place in the queen stage and sixth in the overall classification. "I arrived at the UAE Tour with just 6 days of racing in my legs, I was aware of my condition, but also that the group's level was truly high. In Australia, I raced in support of Ruth Edwards, adapted well to the heat, and had excellent sensations; day after day, my legs were turning better, suffering less in the finale and during pace changes. The ninth place at the Cadel Evans Classic was an additional boost. In UAE, I already had race rhythm and told myself I had to go for it. The result in the third stage was special, I didn't even expect a top 5, it was incredible," she explains to us, confirming that the achieved result is something extremely important, a black-and-white declaration that she is here and ready to compete.

Something has definitely changed, Barbara herself tells us this. The team has always believed in her and encouraged her, but the approach is now different, with more decisiveness, more confidence in her abilities, and above all, the conviction that it's no longer time to hide. "Something definitely changed in my preparation - she explains - during the winter, I worked a lot in the gym and trained pace changes, but I believe there's something more, something beyond simple training. Many people told me I needed to add something more in racing, perhaps more grit, but honestly, I never thought much about it. Then in Australia, I had a conversation with someone who gave me a shock: they made me understand that I have the potential to be at the front. I had to try to go all the way, challenge myself, face reality without beating around the bush. I needed to change. Until that moment, I always passively experienced the race, waiting for others to make a move, but this time I decided to do exactly the opposite. I wanted to try, have fun, and test myself. After the third stage, I realized I hadn't felt this good in a long time. I absolutely had to believe more in myself."

People talk too little about this Trento athlete who is an excellent climber and could become one of our leaders in stage races, but Barbara takes her time, it's still too early to say. The certainty is that Human Powered Health has become a flourishing center with a significant Italian component (5 athletes come from the Peninsula) and a clear, decisive approach to races. The presence of Giorgia Bronzini makes a difference, both in organization and in her relationship with athletes, encouraging them to give their maximum and bring out their best. "Having Giorgia on the team is incredibly important. As soon as she arrived, I worked directly alongside her, and she has always believed in me. She was a great athlete and is now an excellent sports director. She finds a way to bring you out, to show the best part of you even when you can't compete with the top athletes. Last year, for example, I raced Strade Bianche after an injury and with little training. I didn't even think I'd finish the race, but Giorgia encouraged me to go on the attack, and in the end, I saved the team's race because the rider we were counting on had fallen. I was in the front and despite not being at 100%, I didn't give up. It was a great showcase," continues Barbara, who since arriving in 2022 has grown with the team. In the team, she has many experienced girls to rely on. Last year, she worked closely with Ruth Edwards and Audrey Cordon Ragot, but in UAE, she found a great reference point in Romy Kasper, one of the best at moving in the group and supporting her teammates.

The goal for 2025 is to perform well in a major stage race. Multi-day competitions are those most suited to her characteristics, especially when the road starts to climb and the gradients become tough. Starting from next week, she will be at the start of Italian calendar races, but her thoughts are already looking beyond, to the Vuelta, to the races in Spain where she will try to challenge herself again. That's where Barbara will seek results and continue to grow, with a more than clear promise: no hiding allowed.