"I thought they were joking": Human Powered Health unveil eye-catching SpongeBob bike for Tour de France Femmes

Human Powered Health have turned plenty of heads at the Tour de France Femmes, thanks to a unique SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired bike. Dutch rider Marit Raaijmakers admitted she initially thought the design was a joke, but expects fans to see it in action despite its limited use during the race.

Human Powered Health's special Tour de France Femmes bike is impossible to miss. The custom paint scheme, created by bike manufacturer Factor, is inspired by the famous cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants, making it one of the most distinctive bikes in the women's peloton.

Dutch rider Marit Raaijmakers admitted she was caught off guard when she first heard about the project. "It's unique, isn't it? I thought they were joking when they told me about a SpongeBob bike. Then I saw it in real life and thought: they actually did it," she said in words to WielerFlits.

The special edition will not be used throughout the entire Tour, however. Only one Factor One has been produced in the SpongeBob design, meaning its appearances will be selective.

Raaijmakers explained that the bike is designed primarily for flat stages rather than mountain ones. "They only made the Factor One and a few team cars. The route doesn't suit riding it every day because it's a sprint bike where aerodynamics are prioritised over weight. It's heavier, so in the mountain stages we'll ride the Ostro, but it will definitely appear again somewhere. You'll definitely see it, I'm sure of that."

Raaijmakers believes it is no coincidence that Factor chose the Tour de France Femmes to reveal such a striking design. "It's fantastic. The Tour is always special. You notice it from the fans and from how important the race is. We feel that as riders too."

According to the 27-year-old, the Tour's global exposure makes it especially significant for an American team like Human Powered Health.

"You notice the increased public interest. There are more people around than usual. Investors and sponsors also place much more importance on it. For an American team, it's hugely important. It's the biggest race in the United States."