Planet Runner-up In Tour de Hongrie Prologue
“This was a great day for the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team. Not only did Charles put in a fantastic performance in the opening prologue, but we had many local kids with diabetes visit us in Siófok to cheer on the entire squad. This support motivates and drives us every day, and it’s extra special when it comes together at a race like the Tour de Hongrie.”
Team Novo Nordisk earned its first podium in a time trial when Frenchman Charles Planet finished second on the Tour de Hongrie prologue.
“This was a great day for the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team. Not only did Charles put in a fantastic performance in the opening prologue, but we had many local kids with diabetes visit us in Siófok to cheer on the entire squad,” Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko said. “This support motivates and drives us every day, and it’s extra special when it comes together at a race like the Tour de Hongrie.”
Planet set a fast early time on Tuesday’s 4-kilometer prologue, and only Patrick Schelling (Team Vorarlberg Santic) was able to beat him. The Swiss rider finished one second ahead of Planet.
“It was a very technical course today with lots of turns and corners. I like this kind of course because I am an explosive rider and this kind of effort is something I learned to love in mountain biking,” Planet described. “It was a good circuit for me and I gave it my best with no mistakes.”
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team continues racing at the six-day Tour de Hongrie on Wednesday where Planet will wear the green points leader jersey. Stage 1 starts in Balatonalmádiand includes five categorized climbs and two intermediate sprints before finishing in Keszthely.
“It was a very technical course today with lots of turns and corners. I like this kind of course because I am an explosive rider and this kind of effort is something I learned to love in mountain biking. It was a good circuit for me and I gave it my best with no mistakes.”
Team Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes sports team of cyclists spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes UCI Professional Continental cycling team. In 2012, Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of the team, and global healthcare company Novo Nordisk, came together to create Team Novo Nordisk, based on a shared vision to inspire, educate and empower people around the world affected by diabetes.
For more information, go to www.teamnovonordisk.com.
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