Gaciron designs and builds bicycle and e-bike lighting products and integrated lighting solutions, backed by more than a decade of engineering expertise, with a range that runs from compact safety lights to high-output headlights. Through the partnership, Gaciron will equip Team Novo Nordisk's riders for training in the dark, early, and low-light conditions that fill a professional season, those unglamorous hours that make race-day performance possible.

The partnership also reflects a shared presence in Asia. Gaciron is headquartered in Shenzhen, China, a region where Team Novo Nordisk has built a growing racing footprint, including a team classification win at the Tour of Shanghai (2025). The two will build the partnership's profile around the team's autumn races in the region, with the Tour of Shanghai in September as a focal point.

"Our brand promise is simple — Light Up Your Way — and the riders who test it hardest are the ones training day in and day out, in every condition," said Paul Chan, Gaciron CEO. “Team Novo Nordisk's athletes ride exactly the hours our products are built for. Supporting a team that proves what's possible for people living with diabetes makes this partnership especially meaningful to us.”

It's a partnership rooted in the part of cycling that rarely makes the highlight reel; those training hours that make everything on race day possible.

"Our athletes log countless hours in the dark and the rain, and staying visible is a question of safety first," said Vassili Davidenko, General Manager at Team Novo Nordisk. "Gaciron understands riders because they are riders, and their strength in Asia matches a part of the world where we race often. We're glad to have them alongside us for the season ahead."

For a team built on proving what's possible for people living with diabetes, a partner devoted to keeping its riders seen and safe through the hardest training hours is a natural fit.

About Gaciron
Founded in 2008, Gaciron is a professional bicycle lighting brand with its own manufacturing facility, committed to product innovation and quality, delivering a safer, more convenient experience for cyclists. Choose GACIRON and make every ride shine! For more information, go to https://www.gaciron-shop.com/

Managing worldwide travel for a professional cycling team requires precision, adaptability, and deep understanding of elite sport demands especially as Team Novo Nordisk’s last season schedule spanned competition in 21 countries. The partnership with Solutions Travel is designed to bring enhanced operational stability and flexibility to the team’s athletes and staff throughout the season

“It’s an honor and privilege for us to be associated with Team Novo Nordisk who has brought education and inspiration to those who live with Diabetes and continue to prove that obstacles can be overcome,” said Mark Walton, CEO of Solutions Travel.

Sergey Davidenko, Team Novo Nordisk VP of Logistics and Sponsorships, added: “Managing the travel of a global professional cycling team is incredibly complex and having Solutions Travel as a partner gives us true peace of mind. Their team understands the demands of elite sport, and their user-friendly tools allow us to manage travel and last-minute changes right at our fingertips. We’re extremely excited about this partnership and the stability it brings to our athletes and staff as we compete around the world.”

As part of the partnership, Team Novo Nordisk will supplement Solutions Travel’s services by utilizing the Spotnana travel platform to facilitate many of the team’s travel reservation processes, providing greater flexibility and efficiency in managing the team’s global travel needs.

The partnership with Solutions Travel reinforces Team Novo Nordisk’s commitment to operational excellence as it continues to pursue new milestones in competition while raising awareness for diabetes education and empowerment.

First held in 1907 and one of cycling’s five monuments, the route has undergone some changes over the years and in 2026 will start in Pavia, just outside of Milan and will cover just over 300km west to the Ligurian coast where the race usually springs to life over the iconic climbs that have come to define the last part of the race - the ‘Tre Capi’, Cipressa and Poggio di Sanremo all come before the finale on Via Roma in downtown Sanremo.

The partnership between Novo Nordisk and Team Novo Nordisk is rooted in a shared purpose: to demonstrate that living with diabetes does not limit ambition or performance, while promoting the importance of health for all.

“We’re extremely proud to confirm our participation in Milan-Sanremo this year,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “It’s one of the oldest and most iconic races in the world. This will be our 7th appearance at Milan-Sanremo as Team Novo Nordisk and it’s a big opportunity for us to make an impact and share our inspirational message.”

“Our last time was in 2021, and we made the breakaway with Andrea Peron and Charles Planet, that’s the best way for us to share our mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes by racing from the front and being out there for as long as possible.”

“We have come a long way since then and to see how the team keeps developing and progressing year on year is testament to hard work and the support of our sponsors Novo Nordisk. A new generation of TNN athletes is coming through and our younger riders like Filippo and Antonio deserve their opportunity to ride in their home monument.”

While much of the route is relatively flat, Milan-Sanremo typically comes alive in the final 50 kilometers with a series of short, sharp climbs including the famous Cipressa and Poggio.

The Poggio, just a few kilometers from the finish, is where attacks often occur, though sprinters who can handle the climbs frequently contest the finish on Sanremo’s Via Roma. This makes Milan-Sanremo unique among the Monuments - it can be won by pure sprinters, puncheurs, or all-rounders depending on how the race unfolds. This all adds to the rich history of the race and for Team Novo Nordisk with its unique mission and goals makes its participation all the more meaningful.

The 18-year-old from Perth was recently 21^st in the U23 criterium at the Australian National Championships after finishing on the podium in second place in the juniors in 2025 and gained significant experience racing in Europe, winning four races at national junior level including Kooigem and Torhout-Rozveld in Belgium.

“We are happy to be starting the new year by announcing a new addition to the pro team and extend a warm welcome to Donovan Mackie,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “We are excited to be able to give the opportunity to Donovan after he impressed at our Talent ID camp in Italy last summer and achieved some excellent results at junior level.”

“Donovan has a lot of potential and put a lot of hard work in over the last few months while showing a strong desire to keep developing and improving. We have a good mix of experienced riders and young neo pros, for whom 2026 will be their first fully professional season and it’s our job to help them progress and realize that potential.”

Mackie will go straight into the pro set up of the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team and will meet his new teammates for the first time at the pre-season camp in Alicante, Spain.

“As an athlete living and competing with Type 1 diabetes to be racing with Team Novo Nordisk means a lot to me,” said Mackie. “I think it’s special to be a part of a team with a unique and powerful message."

“The Talent ID camp last summer was a nice eye opener into how Team Novo Nordisk operates and how the athletes are supported. The whole team was very hands on with everything from testing to training and race simulations, and it only made me hungrier to become a part of the team.”

“I’m super excited for what’s ahead in the coming year. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into testing myself at a higher level and and excited to learn from my teammates and coaches."

With three more riders stepping up to the pro team and making the transition from the Devo set up, the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team proves once again that the all-important talent pipeline is in rude health.

After July’s Talent ID camp in Tuscany there were strong candidates emerging and with seven new faces for 2026, this was one of the strongest showings in the history of the team and further testament that the inspirational message of the team is reaching the next generation of athletes.

“Obviously we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and say that everyone will eventually make it to the pro team,” said Devo Team General Manager Daniel Holt. “2025 was a positive Talent ID camp and to have this many young athletes showing desire and potential is really motivating. We had many strong and for their age experienced racers, making it an easy decision to bring in some fresh faces. It's a great way to raise the overall level of the team.”

“The outreach of the team to the diabetes community over so many years is unparalleled. Many of the riders we have coming through the pipeline have known about the team for several years, and now that they are at an age to participate at the physical camps, it allows them to give the try-outs a shot. Also, the riders seem to be more willing to show up and put themselves out there than previous years. It's a great thing to see.”

Following up a successful year with an almost brand-new squad can present challenges, particularly with young riders and different nationalities, but for Holt and the rest of the TNN development staff this is a welcome challenge, and they have plenty of experience to draw upon in helping the new riders to settle and ultimately, to progress.

“The Devo team of 2025 had a great attitude and the riders really looked after one another like family,” continued Holt. “This will be hard to replicate immediately with a fresh group of people. Thankfully though, almost all the riders got to know each other at the Talent ID Camp, and they all really seemed to get along and respect each other and work well as a team. I feel confident that the new group will do the same as previous years.”

“We have been in similar situations before and having the experiences to learn from is always valuable, particularly with regards to the environment we try to create for the riders. I’m looking forward to getting started with the guys in January and ready to hit the ground running.”

Team Novo Nordisk Development 2026:

Timotej Banovec (SLO, 22)

Jeffe Beets (BEL, 20)

Olly Clements (AUS, 20)

Marco Grittner (DEU, 25)

Donovan Mackie (AUS, 19)

Lucas Lusinchi (FRA, 20)

Richard Ründva (EST, 20)

Luca Sacher (SUI, 20)

Hayden Stevens (AUS, 19)

Aleksander Zubek (POL, 22)

The current contract, running from 2023 to 2026, will now be extended for an additional five years, through 2031. This renewal marks the longest partnership extension in the team’s history and reaffirms Novo Nordisk’s long term commitment to driving change for people living with diabetes worldwide.

Since the partnership began in 2012, Novo Nordisk and Team Novo Nordisk have worked together to transform perceptions of diabetes.  Founded on a simple but powerful idea - uniting athletes who live with type 1 diabetes - the partnership has proven that life with diabetes can be active, ambitious, and full of potential.

Through the power of sport, science, and storytelling, this partnership proves that diabetes does not define you and inspires healthier living and lasting change for long-term health.

“Team Novo Nordisk embodies the belief that people with diabetes can accomplish anything,” said CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland. “Over the past thirteen years, our partnership has grown beyond cycling into a global movement that is changing perceptions about diabetes. We are proud to extend our partnership for another five years, continuing to inspire the diabetes community worldwide while racing at the highest level of professional cycling.”

As part of this partnership extension, Team Novo Nordisk will continue competing against the world’s best while managing diabetes every single day while expanding its outreach and education programs.

At the same time, Novo Nordisk continues its relentless pursuit of innovative medicines and research to improve care, outcomes, and quality of life for people living with chronic conditions.

Together with Team Novo Nordisk, they aim to empower people worldwide to take charge of their health through exercise, nutrition, and positive choices, paving the way for stronger communities and healthier lives.

To mark World Diabetes Day 2025 and celebrate the partnership renewal, Team Novo Nordisk will support the World Diabetes Foundation’s project “Improving diabetes control and quality of life for children in Uzbekistan”, an initiative focused on improving health outcomes and quality of life for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, particularly in rural regions.

Team Novo Nordisk will donate 10% of profits from its international webshop to the fundraiser through the end of 2025, helping ensure that more children living with diabetes have access to the care and support they deserve.

“Team Novo Nordisk shows the world what’s possible when passion and purpose meet,” says Elin Jäger, Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff and Head of CEO Office, Corporate Strategy & Sustainability at Novo Nordisk, “Today’s extension of our partnership with Team Novo Nordisk reaffirms our long-term commitment to driving change for people living with diabetes. By combining sport, education and community support, we are helping to dismantle stigma, as well as build hope and foster lasting healthy habits for children with type 1 diabetes. We are proud to stand with these athletes as we continue to empower patients to live healthier lives.”

Since its founding, Team Novo Nordisk has raced in hundreds of events across the globe, covering more than 75,000 kilometers per season, and earning multiple podiums and young rider classifications, including the team’s first-ever white jersey at the Loire Tour in France in 2025, followed by two more at the Tour of Estonia and Kreiz Breizh Elites.

The team’s athletes serve as powerful ambassadors for diabetes awareness, inspiring millions, and demonstrating that with proper care, dedication, and support, people with diabetes can perform at the highest level. This long term renewal will give the team, its athletes and ambassadors a deeper connection to the 70,000 Novo Nordisk employees who work daily to improve the lives of its 45 million customers worldwide.

“Novo Nordisk’s unwavering support has been instrumental in our mission to inspire, educate, and empower people with diabetes,” continued Southerland. “Together, we will continue to break barriers and drive change for long-term health.”

Frenchmen Louis-Marie Posnic and Lucas Terrier make the step up from the Development team alongside young and exciting Spanish talent Juan Jose Lopez while key renewals include team captain Andrea Peron and experienced climber David Lozano.

“We’ve acknowledged many times in the past how important our development pipeline is, and I am pleased to be here announcing another three young talents progressing to the senior pro team. We welcome Louis-Marie, Lucas and Juan Jose,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “It takes a lot of work and year on year we are able to help develop these young athletes who live with Type 1 diabetes and give them a platform to progress and compete against the world’s best cyclists in the Team Novo Nordisk jersey.”

Italian rouleur Filippo Ridolfo remains and heads up the cast of talented young riders looking to build on the strong performances from 2025 that also includes compatriots Anotonio Polga and Alessandro Perracchione.

“Equally as important is keeping the core foundation of the team, that is a key factor in providing stability,” continued Davidenko. “Therefore, it is important for us to ensure that our experienced riders remain motivated, and our young talent is on the right path to keep developing. Retaining Andrea, Filippo, David et al gives us stability and with their combined experience they have the tools to help our new riders immediately.”

Louis-Marie Posnic:

“I am very happy and proud to be joining the Team Novo Nordisk pro team next year. I am realising one of my biggest childhood dreams by becoming a professional, so I can't wait to start the 2026 season.

My time spent racing with the TNN Development team allowed me to gain experience and progress. I spent two wonderful years in the Devo team, and one of my fondest memories is from the Czech Tour racing as part of a mixed squad Devo/Pro. I felt great on the bike and learned a lot at this level.”

The last highlight was the Giro di Friuli in Italy, because I fell on the first stage, and I struggled to recover on the second and third stages, but by stage four I felt good again and managed to have a great final stage. I was really happy that I didn't give up and was rewarded on the last race of the year with the news of turning pro in 2026.”

“I’d love to race the Cholet Agglo Tour next year, as it passes less than two kilometers from my house and it’s a race, I’ve dreamt of doing since I was a child.”

Lucas Terrier:

“Turning pro with Team Novo Nordisk for 2026 is something special. I have been dreaming about becoming a professional cyclist for so many years, I remember myself as a kid watching my idols on TV and now having the chance to race against them at 19 gives me goosebumps. Even more so that I’ll be doing it as part of an incredible team like TNN that has been inspiring me since my diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes.”

“I only spent one year with the Devo Team, but what a year it has been! The athletes, who are now basically much more than teamates but friends and all the staff were amazing. I will keep in mind each race and the camps we’we done together around the world, but also the moments off the bike where we shared our cultures and how we deal with diabetes. Always learning and sharing, the team very quickly became a second familly for me.”

Juan Jose Lopez:

“I still can't believe it. Since joining the Talent ID camp, I've been inspired by the team's mission and by the riders around me. Now, having the opportunity to make the leap to the professional team is incredible. Honestly, my entire time with the development team has been full of great moments and lots of learning, as well as making new friends from all over the world.”

“One of the main highlights of the past year was racing with the pro riders, doing a job for them, learning, and gaining experience firsthand in this way was fantastic. Next year I want to work as hard as possible but take the time to adapt to the higher level of racing while being able to help my teammates in every way I can.”

Team Novo Nordisk for 2026

Hamish Armitt (GBR)

Hamish Beadle (NZL)

Sam Brand (GBR)

Jacopo Colladon (ITA)

Lucas Dauge (FRA)

Quinten De Graeve (BEL)

Declan Irvine (AUS)

Juan Jose Lopez (ESP)

David Lozano (ESP)

Bailey McDonald (AUS)

Anton Muller (FRA)

Andrea Peron (ITA)

Alessandro Perracchione (ITA)

Antonio Polga (ITA)

Umberto Poli (ITA)

Louis-Marie Posnic (FRA)

Filippo Ridolfo (ITA)

Nathan Smith (GBR)

Lucas Terrier (FRA)

Celestin Wattelle (FRA)

The grand prize of the lottery is a 2024 Argon 18 Sum Pro Team Edition bike, the same one ridden by Team Novo Nordisk athletes during the 2024 UCI season. This high-performance bike, renowned for its aerodynamic design and comfort, symbolizes the team's commitment to excellence and resilience.

All proceeds from the raffle will directly fund diabetes camps in Georgia, designed to provide children and their caregivers with essential education on diabetes management, psychosocial support, and the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges.

"At Team Novo Nordisk, we believe that diabetes should not be a barrier to achieving one's dreams," said Phil Southerland, CEO and co-founder of Team Novo Nordisk. "This initiative allows us to extend our mission beyond the racecourse, directly impacting the lives of children living with type 1 diabetes and their families in Georgia."

The lottery will run from May 5 to June 6, 2025, and is open to participants aged 18 and older. For more information about the raffle and how to participate, please visit  https://lottery.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/tnn-lottery

This partnership underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. Team Novo Nordisk athletes, who inspire millions worldwide by competing at the highest levels while managing diabetes, will once again ride Vittoria’s state-of-the-art tires, trusted for their superior grip, durability, and speed.

"We are very excited to reestablish our relationship with Vittoria," said Vassili Davidenko, General Manager of Team Novo Nordisk. "As a leader in cutting-edge tire technology, Vittoria perfectly aligns with our team’s mission to drive innovation in both sport and diabetes management. We look forward to developing a strong partnership and continuing to demonstrate what’s possible with determination and the right support."

Vittoria, established in 1953, is renowned for its innovative tire compounds and performance-driven designs. Today, with a strong commitment to sustainability.

"We’re thrilled to collaborate again with Team Novo Nordisk," says Stijn Vriends, Chairman & CEO of Vittoria. "We share a deep attitude of going beyond what seems predetermined and what appears to be a convention or status quo that we’re expected to adhere to. We both know very well what the words 'determination' and 'dedication' truly mean."

The renewed partnership ensures that Team Novo Nordisk will race on Vittoria’s latest high-performance tire models during the 2025 season, including key events on the UCI ProSeries calendar. Fans and supporters can look forward to seeing the team continue to break barriers, both on and off the bike.

Ten riders spanning eight different countries and all aspiring athletes living with Type 1 diabetes and sharing the same dream, to turn professional and become part of the Team Novo Nordisk senior squad.

Promising talent Juan Jose Lopez joins from Spain alongside Jeffe Beets from Belgium, Olly Clements from Australia, Richard Rundva from Estonia, Lucas Terrier from France, and Luca Travaglia from Italy. All six are 19 years old and impressed at the teams 2024 Talent ID camp in Tuscany last July.

“Having such a young team presents many unique opportunities for success,” began Development Team General Manager Daniel Holt. “The first goals of the year will be to test the resilience of the riders at our upcoming training camp, and how they adapt to the training load.”

“The second goal will be to see how the riders perform on the big stage against seasoned professionals at the Tour of Rhodes in early March. We were lucky to have such a strong showing at Talent ID Camp in 2024. All six of the new riders were at our 2024 camp, and four out of those six were at camp for the first time.”

The four riders continuing with the Devo team are Dane Hjalte Knudsen, Poland’s Premyslaw Kotulski, Louis-Marie Posnic from France and Evert Schots from Belgium. All will be looking to build on their experience and take the step to the next level with a mixed racing program that will include more opportunities to race alongside the TNN pro team in UCI events.

“Continuing to give riders a chance is another part of the pipeline,” continued Holt. “And our four returning riders were also discovered at previous camps. The Talent ID camps have been a huge success for our team with regards to discovering new talent.”

“The mixed racing program will be a great learning opportunity for the more experienced riders on the Devo team. Throwing the riders into the mix with bigger teams in the pro peloton, while seeing how the ProTeam riders react to the same challenges, should help to fast track the riders through the learning curve of racing at a high level.”

Team Novo Nordisk Development 2025:

Jeffe Beets (BEL, 19)

Olly Clements (AUS, 19)

Hjalte Knudsen (DEN, 22)

Przemyslaw Kotulski (POL, 25)

Juan Jose Lopez (ESP, 19)

Louis-Marie Posnic (FR, 22)

Richard Rundva (EST, 19)

Evert Schots (BEL, 22)

Lucas Terrier (FR, 19)

Luca Travaglia (IT, 19)

Beginning in the 2025 season, Selle San Marco will provide Team Novo Nordisk riders with cutting-edge saddles designed to enhance comfort, performance, and resilience during the most grueling races on the international cycling calendar. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship and advanced technology, Selle San Marco products have been trusted by professional cyclists for decades.

“We are thrilled to partner with Selle San Marco for the upcoming season,” said Vassili Davidenko, Team Novo Nordisk General Manager. “Their commitment to excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire, educate, and empower people affected by diabetes. With Selle San Marco’s support, our riders will benefit from world-class equipment as we continue to break barriers and prove what’s possible with diabetes.”

For Selle San Marco, this partnership represents an opportunity to contribute to a team that is redefining what it means to compete at the highest level of sport while managing a chronic condition.

“We are excited to re-enter pro cycling world with the Selle San Marco brand, and we are even more happy to do so with a team like Novo Nordisk, whose daily commitment goes far beyond sporting results," said Riccardo Bigolin, Vice-President of the Selle Italia group, to which Selle San Marco belongs. "With this partnership, we are confident that we will bring our brand to be a reference in the pro peloton.”

The partnership comes at a pivotal time as Team Novo Nordisk looks to build on the successes of the 2024 season. With a roster of 20 talented riders competing across multiple disciplines and continents, the team continues to inspire millions of people living with diabetes through their achievements both on and off the bike.

Team captain Andrea Peron remains as the main stay alongside the bright talents of burgeoning Czech classics star Matyáš Kopecky and Italian rouleur Filippo Ridolfo.

New additions arrive from the Commonwealth as Glaswegian Hamish Armitt and Australian Bailey McDonald both come directly into the pro team from the U23 ranks.

“We’re very excited and full of anticipation for the new season,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “Making changes is never easy, but it is part of professional sport and an important aspect of progression and building for the future. Investing in young talent is a cornerstone in the history of Team Novo Nordisk and something we believe in.”

“To be able to continue giving opportunities to guys like Bailey and Hamish to race alongside Andrea and Matyas and the guys is something we are very proud of and it bodes well for our long-term goals. Keeping key riders is also something that’s high on our list of priorities and after another successful season this year, we knew where we wanted to strengthen the squad, and our three riders stepping up from the development team will bring youth ability and potential.”

Frenchmen Anton Muller and Celestin Wattelle make the move up from the TNN Development team alongside 21-year-old Italian Jacopo Colladon with all three riders proudly coming through the in-house pipeline.

Consistent performances throughout 2024 from antipodeans Declan Irvine and Hamish Beadle, Manxman Sam Brand, Belgian Quinten De Graeve and particularly from Italian neo pros Alessandro Perracchione and Antonio Polga, shore up the supporting cast with further promise coming in the form of experienced Spaniard David Lozano.

The Tour du Rwanda stage winner and former Spanish MTB Champion hit a late season hot streak in China and Japan after recovering from a broken shoulder sustained over the summer and remains through 2025.

“We’re always trying to find the right balance,” continued Davidenko. “There’s a lot of responsibility on our shoulders and our experienced riders need to show our younger athletes that what is expected of us is more than racing. All our team members are ambassadors for the global diabetes community and with that comes an obligation to consistently try to be the best you can be, from competing to glucose management.”

“We expect the highest level, and this will not change going forward. Year on year we are trying to provide the right platform and support for athletes with Type 1 Diabetes to succeed in elite competition. That means hard work from everyone in the team, a family thrives with togetherness and after 11 successful years with Novo Nordisk a family is what we have become.”

Team Novo Nordisk for 2025:

Hamish Armitt (GBR, 22)

Hamish Beadle (NZL, 26)

Sam Brand (GBR, 33)

Jacopo Colladon (IT, 21)

Lucas Dauge (FR, 27)

Quinten De Graeve (BEL, 24)

Declan Irvine (AUS, 25)

Matyáš Kopecky (CZ, 21)

David Lozano (ESP, 35)

Bailey McDonald (AUS, 21)

Anton Muller (FR, 26)

Andrea Peron (IT, 36)

Doriand Percrule (FR, 25)

Alessandro Perracchione (IT, 19)

Logan Phippen (USA, 32)

Antonio Polga (IT, 25)

Umberto Poli (IT, 28)

Nathan Smith (GBR, 24)

Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 23)

Celestin Wattelle (FR, 21)

Frenchmen Anton Muller and Celestin Wattelle join Italian Jacopo Colladon in transitioning from the UCI Continental team to the ProTour and continue the long standing TNN tradition of developing talent and promoting from within.

“We are a unique team with a unique talent pool and it’s vitally important for us to utilize our development pipeline,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “Once again through great work by our staff and young riders, we have three talented riders making the transition from the Development squad to the senior pro team for next season.”

“Anton, Celestin and Jacopo all have different characteristics as athletes and will each bring something different to the team next year. After their time spent racing with the devo team and and gaining experience at some big races in Europe and Asia, we are confident that all three have a good foundation to build upon and we’re looking forward to seeing all our new guys continue to progress next season.”

Frenchman Anton Muller is the eldest of the trio at 26 and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes only three years ago. After a string of solid performances throughout this season with the Devo team Muller earned his place racing as a stagiaire with the pro team at both the Tour of Taihu Lake and Japan Cup in October.

“To join the pro team is of course a dream come true,” began Muller. “That was the main goal for me after joining the devo team at the end of last year. To be able to live my passion was unthinkable two years ago, but after meeting former TNN rider Sacha Bietry during an amateur race he showed me that I didn’t have to give up on my dream because of diabetes.”

“Now I am really proud and excited to be stepping up to race at the highest level of cycling and getting ready to take part in races I used to watch on TV. My goals are to learn and improve as much as possible in terms of performance and glucose management.”

Muller’s 21-year-old compatriot Celestin Wattelle has shown his sprinting potential throughout the last three seasons racing with the Development team, achieving breakthrough results across 2024 including a podium at Cup Doltcini and fourth place on stage 3 at the Tour of Bulgaria.

“It feels like an accomplishment to be turning professional, but also like continuity after my time with the Development Team,” said Wattelle. “The pro team inspires me and makes me dream of living the life of a pro cyclist, and now I will be racing and learning with them, and I hope I too will inspire people living with Type 1 diabetes. I’m thankful to be part of a special team that believes in us and gives us the opportunity to continue to grow as athletes and people.”

The final addition for 2025 is young Italian Jacopo Colladon, the 21-year-old Roman has also been part of the TNN Development team for three years and has progressed solidly in that time. Demonstrating consistency in weeklong stage races and climbing skills honed in the Alban Hills outside of Rome where he grew up.

“Joining the TNN professional team brings with it great emotion for me,” concluded Colladon. “This is an achievement of a dream and another step down the road of fulfilling more dreams. I feel honored to be part of this project that in addition to the sporting goal is the bearer of a great message, to show all who live with diabetes what is possible with hard work.”

“My goals are to always do better and try to achieve great results by working with the whole team. I am sure that by joining our forces we will achieve excellent results. I can't wait to start the new season in 2025.”

“Bailey has been racing bikes since a young age and athletics forms a strong part of his family background,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “He has come through the ranks of junior to national elite level racing in Australia and we’re extremely excited to have another talented young rider joining Team Novo Nordisk.”

“Although Bailey has a solid foundation of racing experience, he’s still young and understands that the step up to racing at the highest international level will be a big one and we will do everything we can to help his development and transition to the senior pro ranks.”

Recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in January 2024, McDonald had already taken the first steps down the road to his dream of success as a professional cyclist, racing for the esteemed Australian UCI continental Team BridgeLane before coming to the attention of TNN at the teams annual Talent ID camp in July.

“Turning professional with Team Novo Nordisk is truly a dream come true,” said McDonald. “For as long as I can remember it has been my dream to ride my bike professionally and to finally have the chance to live that dream is nothing short of surreal. I can’t thank everyone involved in the process enough for making it happen. Thanks to the entire organisation, my family, friends, coach and supporters.”

“Joining the pro ranks in 2025 excites me deeply. I don’t underestimate the fact that it will take a period of adjustment to the level of racing however I believe I can have immediate impact in helping the team achieve success. For me, a successful debut season would be one in which I come in and play my role for the team, learning the craft of racing at the pro level and assist and achieve as many results as possible for Team Novo Nordisk in 2025 .”

McDonald grew up in an extremely active family and started cycling at an early age, racing a local club level before progressing to the Australian national road series and achieving a standout third place in the world’s second oldest one day event, Melbourne to Warrnambool.

The result gave McDonald the belief that he could make it as a pro and earned him a contract with Australia’s premier continental outfit, Team BridgeLane for 2024. More racing followed including in Europe and after making the TNN Talent ID camp a key goal, the 21-year-old Victorian duly impressed and joins the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team for the next two seasons.

Both are experienced riders off road with Lozano a former national mountain bike champion and Gravel Earth race winner in 2023 and currently sitting third overall in the 2024 series, while Irvine represented Australia at the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships in Italy.

“For me, being able to take part in the biggest race in the world of gravel is just amazing,” said Lozano. “I’ve been riding gravel bikes the last four years really sporadically and this year with the news that we had the chance to go to Unbound I rode more and it's just a way of loving the sport in it's full essence surrounded with nature, speed and lots of hours, mentality is a key factor and I'm really afraid and excited at the same time so it's a beautiful feeling like the first day of school.“

Unbound Gravel takes place across the rolling prairies and Flint Hills around Emporia, Kansas. With five different race distances to choose from and 4,000 participants Unbound is without doubt the biggest gravel event in the world and both Irvine and Lozano are set to take on the 200 mile Elite event on Saturday 1st June. 

“I am stoked to be heading to Kansas,” began Irvine. “I have been racing gravel for a few years now and Unbound is the holy grail of gravel! This is my Olympics. It’s just the biggest and best there is and as an athlete with type 1 diabetes going into the elite 200-mile event is a little like stepping into the unknown, I haven’t raced that far in one day and fueling is going to be crucial.”

“To be completely honest I am quite nervous about stepping into this particular unknown and consider myself lucky to be a professional athlete with diabetes in 2024, where we have all this great technology like continuous glucose monitors, semi-automated pumps and fuel such as Maurten Hydrogels to keep our glucose levels stable throughout the race. Innovation is a key part of what enables us to compete at the highest level and keep trying to push the boundaries of what’s possible.”

Fueling for between 11 and 12 hours of racing is only one of the factors of competing over 200 miles on open gravel roads, only one of the elements to contend with and while advancements in technology are great, no one can help you with the weather or the terrain and whatever nature will decide to throw at you on any given race day. 

Factor in the sharp flint stones of the famous Kansas hills and you’re left with fine margins between finishing, being stranded in the middle of nowhere or even making that coveted podium spot. Unassisted. Pure. Racing. We can’t wait.
 

"Frio Italia's temperature-controlled cases for insulin represent innovation that truly enhances lives,” said Phil Southerland, CEO and founder of Team Novo Nordisk. “As we renew our partnership with Frio Italia, we're embracing a shared commitment to empowering people living with diabetes and to a world where diabetes management is seamless, enabling individuals to pursue their aspirations without constraints.”

Frio Italia's insulin cases help 27,000 Italians living with diabetes every day by providing a reliable and convenient solution for storing insulin on the go. By combining Frio Italia's innovative products with Team Novo Nordisk's mission to inspire, educate, and empower those affected by diabetes, this partnership aims to break down barriers and redefine possibilities for the diabetes community worldwide.  

"We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Team Novo Nordisk, a team that shares our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those living with diabetes," said Niccolò Gusso, CEO of Frio Italia. "Together, we will continue to push boundaries, challenge perceptions, and inspire positive change in the diabetes community.”

“We compete all over the world and our schedule usually does not allow time to recover from Jet Lag," said Sergey Davidenko – Team Novo Nordisk' VP of Operations and Sponsorships. "So, when I heard about Uplift, I had to try it.  The team started testing the Uplift Jet Lag app over two years ago.  There was skepticism among some members of our team, but that disappeared once they witnessed how other members benefited from the Uplift treatment. This year the schedule expands the return to global racing with events in Europe, North America, and Asia.” 

Research data shows that Jet Lag weakens the immune system and negatively impacts performance. With this partnership, Uplift will support Team Novo Nordisk’s athletes to reduce  the impact of Jet Lag on the body’s physiological systems and sleep.  

“We are very excited to be renewing the partnership with Team Novo Nordisk,” said Uplift CEO Ted Finn. “The Athletes and mission of Team Novo Nordisk inspire us to redefine what is possible with diabetes, and we are honored and humbled to assist them in their journey. We know that races can be won or lost in a matter of seconds and that traveling across time zones impacts performance, and this is where we can make a difference with Elite Travel Performance™ powered by Uplift.” 

“We are very excited to be partnering with Deda Elementi for the 2024 season,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “Deda Elementi is renowned in the cycling world for the quality and cutting edge technology of its products, and with many years of experience within the industry we are proud to be working together.”

“It’s important for us to provide our athletes with the best components and equipment possible and we’re looking forward to a successful season racing alongside Deda Elementi.”

Team Novo Nordisk will integrate Deda Elementi's cutting-edge components into its bike setup for both racing and training while also playing a crucial role in enhancing Team Novo Nordisk's performance in time trials by supplying Jet extensions to the carbon TT cockpit as well as supporting Team Novo Nordisk’ Development team with components and wheels.

"I’m very proud to announce Deda as the components supplier for Team Novo Nordisk,” said Deda Elementi's General Manager, Gianluca Cattaneo. “Our iconic Alanera integrated handlebar meets the highest technical requirements in terms of aero performance and stiffness to weight ratio and is the result of close collaboration between Pro teams and Deda engineers over the last seasons.”

"In addition to supplying the Team Novo Nordisk Pro-Conti team, Deda will also provide components and wheels to their Development team. We couldn’t be more happy as we join forces with a team that shares our passion for innovation, quality, and the love of cycling."

“We are very pleased and excited to confirm a deeper partnership with Ekoï for 2024 and beyond,” said General Manager Vassilii Davidenko. “After briefly collaborating in 2022 we have been trying to find the right time to work together again on a larger scale and thankfully we have been able to do that for this season.”  

“Ekoï is brand leader in the high performance field of professional cycling apparel. It is exciting for our guys to be racing and training in Ekoï helmets and glasses. The quality is second to none and we’re happy to have a technical partner like Ekoï on board.”  

With 20 riders on the roster in the senior pro team and 11 more in the development team, the American registered UCI ProTeam will be well equipped for the next three seasons as they race across the globe in the world’s biggest races, driving change in diabetes.  

“Ekoï has formed partnerships with several UCI professional teams in Europe,” said Ekoï CEO Jean Christophe Rattel. “To increase visibility and collaborations in the North American market we knew it was important to partner with a successful American team, and Team Novo Nordisk is a perfect fit for us.”   

“This partnership aligns with Ekoï's values, as Team Novo Nordisk is the world's first all diabetes professional cycling team which is a cause close to our heart. Both Ekoï and Team Novo Nordisk share a passion for hard work and pushing the boundaries to achieve success and we look forward to a successful three years working together.”

Avanza Skin, recognized for its innovative and research-driven approach to skincare, will serve as the official skincare partner for Team Novo Nordisk. This partnership underscores the importance of prioritizing skin health in the world of professional cycling, where athletes face various challenges such as intense sun exposure, friction-related issues, and the need for effective recovery solutions.

"We are very pleased to be working with Avanza Skin in the upcoming season,” said TNN CEO and founder, Phil Southerland. “As a team racing with diabetes, our athletes understand the importance of holistic well-being, and skincare is a vital aspect of that. This partnership with Avanza Skin signifies our commitment to providing our athletes with the best possible resources to perform at their peak while prioritizing their skin health."

“We are thrilled to unite with Team Novo Nordisk, a testament to the indomitable spirit of athletes facing the unique challenges of living with diabetes,” said Ana Cossio, COO and co-founder of Avanza Skin. “This collaboration stems from a commitment to empower, educate, and inspire, and allows us to stand alongside an extraordinary team of riders who serve as exemplary figures, profoundly impacting those learning to live with diabetes."

“With consistent, positive results across the whole season, 2023 was arguably our best in the history of Team Novo Nordisk,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “I am very pleased to be able to confirm contract renewals for the core members of our squad alongside bringing in four new talented young riders.”

“It’s important for us to continue to build on the positive success of this season and by securing a three year renewal to the agreement with our principal partner Novo Nordisk, we are able to demonstrate our intent to continue moving forward.”

Alongside ‘Captain Consistent’ Andrea Peron, who’s 2023 campaign was  yet again characterized by repeated top ten results and included two podiums and the points jersey at the Tour de la Mirabelle, 2023 also marked breakthrough seasons for Czech star Matyas Kopecky and 21-year-old Italian Filippo Ridolfo. 

Ridolfo starred in numerous big race breakaways, came close to a first professional victory in Slovenia with second place in GP Kranj and spent three days in the best young rider jersey at the Tour of Denmark.

While Kopecky started to shine in the spring with strong results at Scheldeprijs followed by top tens at the Tour de Hongrie,  Dwars door Het Hageland and his first WorldTour top ten on stage four at the Tour of Poland. Arguably the 20-year-old saved the best for last with an impressive fifth place in the U23 road race at the European Championships in September before another top ten against strong competition on stage four of he season finale, the Tour of Turkey.

“Our standout performers of 2023, Matyas, Filippo and Andrea are all on board and hungry for more,” concluded Davidenko. “And with the quiet progression of Hamish Beadle and Quinten De Graeve alongside the experience of Charles Planet, David Lozano and Peter Kusztor, we have very good balance to the team and a lot for our new signings to look up to and be ready to learn from.”

Talented new signing 18-year-old Italian Alessandro Perracchione will be joined by three riders who make the move up to the senior pro team from the TNN development pipeline, Frenchman Doriand Percrule, Brit Nathan Smith and Italian Antonio Polga.

The future certainly looks bright with youthful talent starting to blossom amidst the stable confines of the team and within the balanced group who combine experience, togetherness, and versatility to give the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team a strong platform from which to spring into 2024.

 __

Team Novo Nordisk for 2024:

Hamish Beadle (NZL, 25)

Sam Brand (GBR, 32)

Stephen Clancy ( IRL, 31)

Lucas Dauge (FR, 26)

Gerd De keijzer (NED, 29)

Quinten De Graeve (BEL, 23)

Jan Dunnewind (NED, 25)

Declan Irvine (AUS, 24)

Matyas Kopecky (CZ, 20)

Peter Kusztor (HUN, 38)

David Lozano (ESP, 34)

Doriand Percrule (FR, 24)

Andrea Peron (IT, 34)

Alessandro Perracchione (IT, 18)

Logan Phippen (USA, 31)

Charles Planet (FR, 31)

Antonio Polga (IT, 24)

Umberto Poli (IT, 27)

Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 21)

Nathan Smith (GBR, 23)

“This is another example that shows our development pipeline is in good working order,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “All three riders, Antonio, Doriand and Nathan understand that this will be a big step up for them and it will be important that they focus on working hard to continue their progression.”

“How they transition in the first few months will be crucial to the next phase of their development and it’s important that all three make the most of this opportunity. They have all shown what they can do while racing for the Development Team and we’re all excited to see them progress, it’s our goal and responsibility to do all we can to help them realize their maximum potential.”

After three years with the TNN development team Briton Nathan Smith is finally realizing his dream and becoming a senior professional. A stagiaire role in early 2022 left the 23-year-old with a clear idea of what was needed to take the next step in his career and now the hard work has paid off.

"It feels amazing to be able say I’ll be turning professional with Team Novo Nordisk next year,” began Smith. “Definitely a dream come true! It will be a big step up from racing with the devo team but, I’m ready to give it my all.”

“Next season I'd like to gain valuable experience racing at a higher level, do my job for my teammates in races and have an all round consistent year of racing while showing what’s possible with diabetes.”

Frenchman Doriand Percrule has also spent three years in the development pipeline with standout results at races such as the Tour of Sakarya and the Tour of Bulgaria running alongside unfortunate periods of injury that the 24-year-old has now overcome.

“After three years in the Development Team I learned a lot,” said Percrule. “I was able to gain experience in different races and this enabled me to move through the stages as I went along in order to make the necessary progress.”

“I feel like these three years have shaped me well, so that I can now move up to the pro team and be ready for the next step. I'd like to thank the whole Team Novo Nordisk family for this opportunity and I hope to show my true ability. I am highly motivated for 2024 and my main goal is to help the team and keep learning and developing.”

Stories of dogged determination are commonplace in professional sport, as so often drive and hard work combine to form the opening paragraphs to a story of success. 24-year-old Antonio Polga fits right into this category of never giving up. After repeated attempts to join the pro ranks of the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team, the Veneto native has finally made it.

“I am so happy about this step of my life,” concluded Polga. “I knew since the beginning that I could do this, and even with some high and lows I continued to dream and fight hard on the bike, making the sacrifices of the usual life of someone in their early twenties and focusing only on becoming a professional athlete.”

“Now for sure it's the start of a new chapter and I have to work harder every day to improve and improve. I am looking forward very much to be doing this with a team as unique as Team Novo Nordisk.”

Living with Type 1 diabetes since the age of two, Perracchione doesn’t remember life without diabetes and has followed the path of one dream for most of his young life, to become a professional cyclist.

This dream is now becoming a reality as the 18-year-old Italian joins after an impressive 2023 season in the junior ranks with four podiums, numerous top ten finishes, and a stunning victory at the recent Trofeo Alba Rosa.

“It’s fantastic that we are able to sign a talent as promising as Alessandro at the same time as agreeing a three-year extension to our successful partnership with Novo Nordisk,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “We are showing our intent to continue to develop and invest in talent for the future of Team Novo Nordisk and everyone out there living with diabetes.”

“Our trajectory throughout this season has been centered around the budding relationships between our experienced leaders like Andrea Peron and our exceptional young talents like Matyas Kopecky and Filippo Ridolfo. Alessandro fits right in here and our aim is to be able to provide him with the same environment to grow and develop that we do with all our riders.”

After impressing during a trip to the team’s annual Talent ID camp in Tuscany back in July and more positive results following in August and September races, the young Italian is excited to be joining the pro ranks.

“This a dream come true for me in every sense,” began Perracchione. “Becoming a professional rider with Team Novo Nordisk has been my goal since I was eight years old and to achieve this ten years later is truly an incredible feeling.”

“Moving from the junior ranks to racing with and against top professionals will be a big step up and I see it as one chapter ending and another one beginning. I’m ready to take the next step in my development and I have big dreams that I hope to realize as a professional cyclist and I know that it will take a lot of hard work and dedication.”

The UCI ProTeam received a special invitation to the World Tour events after a standout 2023 season, and will face the top tier of the cycling world at the two races. TNN is composed solely of riders with type 1 diabetes, and aims to show that reaching this level of elite athletic competition is possible for anyone with diabetes. The team will join UCI star teams such as Jumbo Visma, UAE Team Emirates, and INEOS Grenadiers, among others, on the start lines in Montreal and Quebec. 

 “It’s incredible for our riders to line up with these teams, the best in the world,” says TNN General Manager, Vassili Davidenko. “Our team has made our mark on the ProTeam circuit this season, and to receive the invitation to compete at the World Tour level is validation of our hard work. To be able to race in front of our partners at Argon 18 just makes it even more special. 

Argon 18 has been bike sponsor for the team since 2022, and will extend that sponsorship for another three years, through 2026.

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Team Novo Nordisk, and even more thrilled to be able to celebrate this partnership in our hometown of Montreal,” says Martin Le Sauteur, CEO of Argon 18. “We’ve heard from the riders how much they appreciate the quality and performance of our bikes. Committing to another three years with the team and contributing to the cause is as exciting for us as it is for them.” 

“We are very excited to be extending our successful partnership with Argon 18 for three more years,” adds Vassili Davidenko. “To be able to compete at the highest level you need the best, most cutting-edge equipment possible and that’s what Argon 18 gives us.” 

“Our results over the last two years of racing on the Sum Pro have been extremely positive, from Andrea Peron gaining his first career victory at GP Kranj last year to numerous breakthrough performances in big races by Matyas Kopecky and Filippo Ridolfo in 2023. Our aim is to continue building on this upward trend and Argon 18 bikes will help us to do that.” 

The team has been riding Argon 18’s flagship road race bike the Sum Pro, as well as the UCI-legal aero-optimised TT model, the E-118. 

The two iconic Grands Prix races see the world’s top cyclists race through the downtown core of Montreal and Quebec to the delight of thousands of cycling fans. In Argon 18’s hometown of Montreal, the company will host several related events throughout the city, and will have a major presence in the athletes’ village at both races. 

In 2021, Novo Nordisk and Team Novo Nordisk celebrated the discovery of insulin. This year, they celebrate their 10-year partnership anniversary as well as the 100th year anniversary of Novo Nordisk. The discovery of insulin and 100 years of innovation within diabetes management means that people living with diabetes now have the possibility to live out their dreams.

The extension of this partnership will allow Team Novo Nordisk to continue the important mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes and show the world that diabetes doesn’t have to hold you back.

“It’s already been a decade of success and life changing moments for us working together with an amazing partner like Novo Nordisk,” began CEO & Co-Founder Phil Southerland. “To be able to being a positive inspiration for people with diabetes for another three years is fantastic and it’s going to be spectacular."

“Our mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone around the world affected by diabetes is a mission that’s never ending. With our athletes racing all over the world from China and Japan, across Europe to the USA and Canada this year, we know our message is being spread and the impact the team has on every diabetes community in each country is a small step taken in the continuing journey to try and affect positive change for the near 500 million people living with diabetes around the world.”   

Since the last partnership extension in 2020 the team has gone from strength to strength. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin in 2021 with the landmark documentary Ride for your L1fe and team captain Andrea Peron’s first career victory in 2022 at GP Kranj in Slovenia. 2023 has marked the successful emergence of generational talents Matyas Kopecky and Filippo Ridolfo in the pro team alongside a growing ambassador program.

“Our whole project continues to grow,” continued Southerland. “In 2024 we will have 20 senior pro riders, 12 development riders and an ever-expanding ambassador team of athletes from around the world competing in many different sports: from the track and field with 3 x time Chilean national 100m sprint champion Maria Ignacia Montt…to the ocean and multiple world paddle board champion Fiona Wylde all the way to the velodrome and the legendary US multi discipline national champ Mandy Marquardt.”

The next three years will see Team Novo Nordisk’ mission expanding once more to reach not only people affected with diabetes but with other serious chronic conditions around the world.

“When diagnosed with a chronic condition many people think it means they won’t be able to live life the way they had hoped,” said Southerland. “With Novo Nordisk, we are ready to take on the challenge to prove that it might be possible to live the life of your dreams.”

“I really want to take a moment, and give a sincere thanks to the leadership, and all the employees of Novo Nordisk,” concluded Southerland. “So often in their 100-year history as a company, they have invented a new reality for people with diabetes. And with this extension, Novo Nordisk clearly shows its desire to put patients at the center of everything they do.”

“This is more than a traditional sponsorship. Team Novo Nordisk is a testament to all the employees of Novo Nordisk that live and breathe the ethos of doing what is best for people living with diabetes or with another chronic condition. I am both grateful for the opportunity and honoured that our heroes have the chance to fly the Novo Nordisk flag, as we continue driving change all around the world.”

Cyclists wear rigid sport-specific shoes while riding, but off the bike comfortable footwear that allows for a natural range of motion in the feet and toes could benefit riders. For example, according to Dr. Sarah Ridge’s research, walking in minimalist shoes has been shown to build foot strength as much as doing an 8-week foot strengthening exercise program. Xero Shoes’ wider, foot-shaped toe boxes and flexible soles could help with active recovery, whether that’s for riders after a day of training or racing, or for their support staff who are on their feet all day.

“We’re extremely pleased to be working with Xero Shoes,” said CEO and Co-Founder of Team Novo Nordisk, Phil Southerland. “Xero Shoes are an up-and-coming American brand and with their ethos and the thought that goes into their whole design and manufacturing process, it’s a perfect partnership for Team Novo Nordisk.”

"We're thrilled to help Team Novo Nordisk not only perform better on their bikes by integrating our footwear into their lives but also to spread their inspiring message of resilience and determination," says Xero Shoes CEO, Steven Sashen.

Adds Southerland, “It’s important for us as a team to work together with partners who share our goal not only to inspire, educate and empower but also to stay true to the natural aspects of performance and we feel that Xero Shoes will be a great fit for us.”

With a shared commitment to promoting health, wellness, and athletic achievement, Xero Shoes and Team Novo Nordisk aim to redefine what is possible.

“I’m very happy for Filippo, he’s made a big step forward this year in his second season as a professional and for all his hard work he deserved the win and came within half a bike length of taking it,” said Head sports director Massimo Podenzana. “The team worked well as a whole  and we had a plan to have the guys active at the front to hedge our bets and see if we could make it aggressive. We had Andrea and Matyas ready for a sprint in the end, but it was Filippo’s move that stayed away.

“Chapeau to Team Zalf, they played their cards smartly at the finish. Filippo gave everything and second place is an excellent result, but  also gave our young guys a good lesson that if even if you have the legs to win sometimes it doesn’t happen.”

Filippo Ridolfo (ITA):

“I have mixed emotions right now, I felt so good throughout the race and I was driving the move along repeatedly, so to come so close to the win is disappointing, but I’m also very happy with second place. It’s a great result and I’m sure it will sink in a day or two." 

“We were so strong as a team , the way we started it was almost like we knew we were going to get a result. On the final lap I was up against two riders form the same team, and although there were two of us leading Zamperini had a teammate five seconds back so he wasn’t pulling the last 3km. I maybe went a little bit early on the ramp up to the finish, but I think that’s my only error and at the end of the day a win and a second place at the same race in two years is great for us.”

The 23-year-old puncheur will join the pro ranks with the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team for the rest of the 2023 season with the focus primarily on gaining more experience.

“Quinten has impressed with his performances so far this season,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “And we’re happy to be able to help his development and progress by giving this added incentive to step up.”

“The onus will be squarely on the learning process and maturing, but after the commitment and drive Quinten has shown this year, we feel he will be a strong addition to the senior professional team.”

In his first year with the Team Novo Nordisk development program De Graeve has produced good results in stage races on US soil at Redlands Bicycle Classic and the extremely challenging Tour of the Gila where the Belgian secured top 20 finishes on stages two and four and shown his strength and Flemish characteristics competing in gritty national races in Belgium.

“This winter it was great news for me to join the Team Novo Nordisk development team and the positive impact was noticeable straight away,” said De Graeve. “One of the many things the team taught me was how to start to live more and more professionally, diet, training, and diabetes management and as a result I became stronger. I'm sure I can learn a lot from the pro riders, and hope to keep growing.”

“Prior to my first season with the development team, I wasn’t thinking about becoming a member of the TNN - pro team. Of course this is a dream come true for me. I'm still developing, but I feel that I’m a pretty classic Flemish rider, I like the punchy courses, racing on the cobbles and against the wind are elements I can identify with and I’m looking forward to take this opportunity to progress with the pro team.”

Head sports director Massimo Podenzana:

“Top three on stage one, top 20 yesterday and then second today and the points jersey for Andrea so not bad at all! It’s been an action packed three days and all the team raced well together. Especially David, Peter and Andrea, those three were fantastic today.”

“It’s been good preparation for the team for the upcoming races in Belgium and I’m happy to see Lucas make his return to racing without any problems and of course coming away with a jersey is always nice.”

Andrea Peron:

“It’s a great feeling to win the green points jersey here at Tour de la Mirabelle and with a second and third place the only thing missing was a win, but we’ll take this and enjoy the moment.”

“The whole team have been great the last three days and today David and Peter were absolutely immense. They were with me right until the end and I couldn’t have asked for better support.

“Chapeau to the winner because he jumped early and that’s what I should have done. I said on stage one that I felt good and that I’m carrying the speed and that was the same today. It’s nice to finally be over the sickness after Hungary, and I’m already looking ahead to our next races in Belgium and fingers crossed we can perform well there too.”

"2023 is an important year," said Team Novo Nordisk' General Manager, Vassili Davidenko. "Not only for our sponsor's anniversary, but also for the ten years of our partnership and wonderful work together with them. We are very happy to be able to celebrate this by returning to the Tour de Pologne. We thank our friends at Lang Team for giving us the opportunity to compete with the best teams in the world, while inspiring all those with diabetes and showing them that it is possible to do sport even at a high level." 

A mission that has always been received with great sensitivity by the Tour de Pologne' organization. 

"It will be special to see the guys from Team Novo Nordisk racing on Polish roads," commented Tour de Pologne' Director, Czesław Lang. "As I have said many times, I am convinced that cycling has great power to bring people together and spread messages. The values of this team are noble and go beyond the concept of sport and applying to daily life. I hope that the Tour de Pologne, with its international audience, can contribute to raising awareness of the great goals that can be pursued by people living with this condition. Furthermore, Team Novo Nordisk has always been racing at the Tour de Pologne in an offensive and spectacular way." 

Research data shows that Jet Lag weakens the immune system and negatively impacts performance. With this partnership, Uplift will support Team Novo Nordisk’s athletes to reduce the impact of Jet Lag on the body’s physiological systems and sleep.

“We compete all over the world and our schedule usually does not allow time to recover from Jet Lag," said Sergey Davidenko – VP of Operations and Sponsorships. “When I heard about Uplift, I had to try it. The team started testing the Uplift Jet Lag app over two years ago. There was skepticism among some members of our team, but that disappeared once they witnessed how other members benefited from the Uplift treatment. With this year' race schedule including races in North America and Asia, we're excited to continue this partnership with Uplift to support our athletes in reducing the effects of jet lag on their performance.”

As today's athletes utilize more natural solutions to improve health and wellness, the Uplift team looks forward to working with the professional sports industry to promote the positive benefits of sleep and improve mental and physical performance.

“We are very excited to be renewing the partnership with Team Novo Nordisk,” said Uplift CEO Ted Finn. “The Athletes and mission of Team Novo Nordisk inspire us to
redefine what is possible with diabetes, and we are honored and humbled to assist them in their journey. We know that races can be won or lost in a matter of seconds and that traveling across time zones impacts performance, and this is where we can make a difference.”

“Vittoria’s tires have graced the professional peloton for decades,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “The years of experience and technical knowledge they have accumulated mean that Vittoria are consistently at the apex of cutting-edge technology and developments.”

“We are very happy that our riders will get the benefit of that quality for the upcoming season and we’re looking forward to a long and successful working relationship.”

Vittoria was formed in Italy in 1953 with an initial focus on pro-performance road tires, digging deep into the heart of their Italian roots to develop tires for some of the most successful riders and teams in the history of cycling.

A relentless pursuit of the next material, next technology and the next level of design and performance has seen Vittoria remain a market leader 70 years later with ranges in every different pursuit cycling has to offer.

“We are happy to work alongside Team Novo Nordisk: It’s a reality of the highest level with a unique character and purpose,” said Vittoria Global Marketing Director Bruno Tecci. “We have a lot in common in terms of mentality. Our "The Ride Ahead" - which even before being a brand positioning is a way of thinking - finds a beautiful embodiment in the stories of these riders and this team.”

To learn more about Vittoria, visit https://www.vittoria.com/

A tough 2022 season unfolded over a full European racing program and the results of 2021 were always going to be a hard act to follow, but Frenchman Doriand Percrule proved to be the Devo team’s most consistent rider with repeated top 20 stage finishes at the Tour of Sakarya in Turkey and 20^th on the final general classification being the highlight of the year.

Percrule wasn’t alone and his compatriot Celestin Wattelle enjoyed a positive debut season with 17^th at Grand Prix Develi in Turkey and 25^th on stage 4 of Belgrade – Banjaluka in Serbia.

“2022 did indeed prove to be a challenging year,” said Development team General Manager Daniel Holt. “But in terms of learning and experience gained it was very important. Doriand produced some strong performances and we’re looking for him to step up another level in 2023. It will take a lot of dedication and hard work, but we know that we have ability to improve. After some growing pains, most of our guys adapted well by the end of the season, even fighting for the win in our last block of racing.”

“We have made some changes for the upcoming season with four new faces coming in and an old face, Poland’s Przemek Kotulski returning for his second stint with us, after going away and working hard this year. It will be an important season for all the guys and it’s crucial that they give the maximum in both training and racing.”

Team Novo Nordisk’s annual Talent ID camp proved once again to be a valuable part of the team’s development pipeline of athletes who live and compete with type 1 diabetes. 2022 saw the camp held in Italy, in southern Tuscany and it was a success.

“At camp this year there were four riders that really stood out,” continued Holt. “The first was Josh Brown from the UK who has shown considerable improvement over the last three years attending camp. Hjalte Knudsen from Denmark was the second. Hjalte has made a return from illness last year and we’re looking to him to add some much-needed horsepower in 2023.”

“Quinten De Graeve from Belgium had an impressive season of domestic racing, even winning a race and he came to camp prepared and hungry. Our final addition for 2023 is Antonio Polga from Italy, after a year on the TNN junior team back in 2016, Antonio made a strong comeback in 2022 and is ready to see what it's like racing in the big races."

“In 2022 we had a few injuries early in the season, which is natural for a Devo team doing the kind of races we do, but this gave us some challenges a in terms of having a strong roster at the early season races. Having added two more riders, we will be able to have some flexibility, without overly stressing the riders and that is crucial to the growth of the team.”

Team Novo Nordisk Development for 2023:

Ben Barnett (GBR, 21)

Sacha Bietry (FRA, 23)

Josh Brown (GBR, 20)

Quinten De Graeve (BEL, 23)

Kobe Godts (BEL, 21)

Hjalte Knudson (DEN, 20)

Przemek Kotulski (POL, 23)

Justin McQuerry (USA, 28)

Doriand Percrule (FRA, 24)

Antonio Polga (ITA, 24)

Nathan Smith (GBR, 23)

Celestin Wattelle (FRA, 20)

“Catlike is a premium brand that creates some of the best helmets in the world and we are very happy to continue this long partnership with them,” said Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “The high quality of their product and the depth of Catlike’s R&D department guarantees the safety of our riders which is our main priority and also provides new, cutting edge technological advances for our team to make the most of.”

“Catlike has always believed in our project over the last ten years of working together and it is great to have their continued support in spreading our mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone around the world living with diabetes.’’ 

Catlike is a high-end brand focused on the development of performance helmets and gear for demanding athletes. Founded in 1996 Catlike has a strong heritage. The well-known “oval design” is an exclusive mark that distinguishes their premium helmets worldwide. The ergonomic, lightweight, and safe design, developed in unison with aerodynamic performance and ventilation at the highest level, guarantee an experience of excellence for all athletes.  

“The best partnerships aren’t dependent on a mere common goal but on a shared path of success, desire and a big amount of passion for what you do," said Catlike Marketing Manager Marcos Leite. "It’s always a pleasure to be part of Team Novo Nordisk and his history."

 To learn more about Catlike, please visit: https://www.catlike.com/

If 2021 was the season of frustration, then 2022 was the season of rediscovery and results. Top ten leading to the podium and the podium leading to victory.

At GP Kranj in Slovenia last July Andrea Peron achieved his lifelong dream of a professional win, demolishing the field of competition with an early attack towards the top of the final climb in central Kranj and exploding into the last 500m with nothing but focus and raw power pushing through the pedals, over the finish line and overcome with emotion.

2022 came together in that moment. A decade long career encapsulated in the final kilometer of a bike race. More than 500 million people living with diabetes around the world sharing what inspiration can look like and a community brought together with the joy of what is possible.

“What a season we had,” began CEO & Co Founder Phil Southerland. “After the challenges of 2021 we started this year by telling the guys to get back to basics. Go out there and race with a smile on your face and above all have fun. Enjoy being here and use that enjoyment to channel the pressure of racing for results at the highest level of professional cycling.”

“Guess what? It worked. Not only did we have our most consistent season ever in terms of results, our most consistent rider Andrea Peron, achieved his first career win in Slovenia at GP Kranj. After ten years of seconds, thirds, top five, top ten and breakaways in monuments he kept pushing and banging on the door until he burst through. Diabetes didn’t stop him, and neither could the competition and I don’t think the future will either.

“The future is something that we all have an eye on and something that we invest in, which is why this seasons performances and results go hand in hand with our documentary Ride for your L1fe – which is on YouTube right now -because these are some of the tools at our disposal to inspire the next Andrea Peron and Charles Planet and it’s one of our goals to keep doing that.“.

Only one change appears on the roster for 2023 with Uzbekistani climber Ulugbek Saidov returning to the TNN pro team after a season spent gaining experience and results racing for the Uzbekistan national team.

“We’re very satisfied with our performances in 2022,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “To be sitting here reflecting on multiple podiums, top ten placings and Andrea’s win at GP Kranj feels like a good place to be, but also a place that we need to be more often. It’s very important that we kick on in 2023 and carry the momentum from this year, there were many positive moments including Matyas (Kopecky) and Filippo (Ridolfo) starting their pro careers strongly and developing talents like Hamish (Beadle) beginning to show maturity and produce solid performances.”

“But what pleased me the most was the team spirit and the togetherness, after such a difficult 2021 we could be forgiven for letting our heads drop, but we channeled that energy and used it as motivation. Now we approach 2023 with the same attitude and fundamentally the same team."

“We welcome back Ulugbek (Saidov) who has been on his own journey of development and is now ready to go again and play his part in helping the team. I’m excited to see what 2023 has in store and I’m sure that if we put the same hard work in then we are going to see more results and more smiles on our faces.”

Once again the balance between experience and youthful talent will be important in 2023 with the older established captains Peron, Charles Planet and David Lozano looking to bring on the younger riders as second year pro’s Matyas Kopecky and Filippo Ridolfo look to repeat their positive debut seasons and push on to the next level.

Team Novo Nordisk for 2023:

Hamish Beadle (NZL, 24)

Sam Brand (GBR, 31)

Robbe Ceurens (BEL, 21)

Stephen Clancy (IRL, 30)

Lucas Dauge (FRA, 25)

Gerd de Keijzer (NLD, 28)

Jan Dunnewind (NLD, 24)

Joonas Henttala (FIN, 31)

Declan Irvine (AUS, 23)

Matyas Kopecky (CZE, 19)

Peter Kusztor (HUN, 37)

David Lozano (ESP, 33)

Andrea Peron (ITA, 34)

Logan Phippen (USA, 30)

Charles Planet (FRA, 29)

Umberto Poli (ITA, 26)

Filippo Ridolfo (ITA, 21)

Ulugbek Saidov (UZB, 26)

“We are very happy to have a partner with the experience of Santic coming on board,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “Their company goals align with ours as a team to continue to expand our platform and be able to further inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes around the world by racing and competing at the highest level of professional cycling with a technical partner at the cutting edge of performance athletic apparel.”

“As a professional cyclist who spends hundreds of hours in the saddle over thousands of kilometers each year, one of the most important things is your clothing. You need to be aerodynamic, protected from the elements and above all you need to be comfortable, and Santic can give our riders everything they need to be able to perform at their maximum.”

Formed in China in 2005, Santic is an international sports manufacturing and global industrial trade group with a complete supply chain management system, keeping the product in-house all the way from design and production to delivery. A well-established company that supplies trending, bulk production, and in-store solutions for technical sportswear. After 17 years of development, it has become a global industrial and trade group and currently has more than three thousand employees worldwide. 

With high performance cycling apparel continuing to be a key part of Santic’s story, the Chinese brand is excited to be working with Team Novo Nordisk and becoming a part of the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team's unique and meaningful community.

“We are touched by Team Novo Nordisk’s amazing work to try to help and inspire all those affected by diabetes,” said Fred Hou, CEO of Santic Group. “Luckily, we now have a chance to start our partnership with the team and be part of that work. Team Novo Nordisk is the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team where the riders race and compete against the world’s best pro cyclists.”

“We are delighted that we can join the team to help reshape what it means for people to live with diabetes. Together with the team, we believe that we can develop our products to be combined with comfort and performance to the next level.”

 To learn more about Santic, please visit: https://santic.com/

 In collaboration with our sponsors Novo Nordisk and the streaming platform of multi-media and outdoor community lifestyle company Outside INC in the USA, Ride for your L1fe is now available to view on the Outside INC fast network and linear channels. 

“There are over 500 million people around the world living with diabetes and that number is rising everyday,” said Phil Southerland, CEO and Co-founder of Team Novo Nordisk and CEO of Supersapiens. “18 of those 500 million compete at the highest level of professional cycling week in week out, month after month and year on year.”

  “We race against the best in the world whilst managing diabetes so that we live to race another day. Sometimes things go wrong. Often things go right. Throughout it all our athletes are supported by a team of dedicated professionals and together we are Team Novo Nordisk and this is a story of a year in our lives.” 

“It can’t be underestimated what goes into making and keeping Team Novo Nordisk a reality day in and day out. We are a unique team, and we have a unique message to carry, the work that every member of this team puts in is what sustains us, and this film is also for them. A lasting testament to the importance of what we do and a small insight into our work so that everyone can see its significance.”

Ride for your L1fe tells only a part of the whole story. The stories of the Team Novo Nordisk riders are unfolding organically every-day and the one constant, never changing fact is that type 1 diabetes is for life and there are good days and bad days.

"When it comes to type 1, I believe it's key to talk/show the ups as well as the downs," says the film director Peter Alsted. "They complement each other, they are part of what living with type 1 implies, they make the characters much more relatable, and real."

 "I think it's also important to remember that pro cycling is a lot of hard work and dedication. These riders are heroes because of the hardship that comes with their quest, but they are humans too, and their humanity is shown in those moments of vulnerability portrayed in the film. Filmmaking is about capturing those moments where you feel both the ups and the downs. Life itself is not a 24hr joy-ride."

Ride for your L1fe is out now on Outside channels. Watch full movie here.

A fiery stage unfolded over the rolling hills out of Athens as two or three different breakaway groups formed before the race came back together on the long descent to the coast and the finish in Itrea. Former Hungarian champion Peter Kusztor produced a strong lead out for Peron and the Padovan did the rest. 

Andrea Peron (ITA):

“That’s the second time I’ve come within a wheel length of a win this year and both times it’s happened at a Greek race! We’re getting closer that’s for sure and like my wife says, I’m like a lion that smells blood, I get stronger as I get closer and I really hope we keep working like this because if we do then that win is coming.”

“Of course I’m happy to get second place today, it’s another step closer and the guys all worked so hard for me today. We all finished so close together and showed great teamwork. Peter I take my hat off to, because he popped up next to me after the descent and took me into the last km at the front. That was key to the result today and if we didn’t show what’s possible with diabetes today…then I don’t know when we will.”

Sports director Gennady Mikhaylov:

“Fantastic work by the whole team today. They worked very well together and aside form the result, it made me happy to see them all finish close to each other as a team and as a unit.”

“There’s no doubt Andrea is getting closer, his results so far this year tell their own story and today he was within a whisker of the win. Peter emptied himself to get Andrea in position after the descent and showed all his experience in choosing the right moment to take Andrea forward. The guys are real heroes in every race we take part in, but today they took up the reigns and became protagonists on a tough stage and achieved a fantastic result.”

“We’re very happy to welcome onboard Ekoï as our new eyewear performance partner,”  said Vassili Davidenko, TNN General Manager. “The cutting edge technology that they apply to both lenses and frames to make their glasses as lightweight and durable as possible is something that will benefit our guys in both racing and training.” 

“After only a couple of weeks of using Ekoï glasses our guys are already singing their praises and talking about how they can’t feel them on their face while riding and how wide the field of vision is. I hope this will be a successful partnership and as a team we are looking forward to working and racing together with Ekoï.” 

Created in 2001 almost 21 years ago, the EKOÏ brand quickly became a leader in France and a major player on the European cycling equipment market. Pioneer of direct sales on the internet in 2008, EKOÏ by eliminating intermediaries offers products with unrivaled price/quality ratio, generally 30% to 40% less expensive than the competition. The EKOÏ strategy is to allow its customers to benefit from the expertise of professional riders, who, thanks to sponsorship, help EKOÏ to improve and innovateits products. 

“I am very happy and proud to start this partnership with Team Novo Nordisk," said Pietro Cicoria, Ekoï Sponsoring manager. "The strength and commitment of the team to enable riders with diabetes to compete fascinates me. With our collaboration Ekoï also wishes to contribute to this adventure. I am sure that this sharing will be beautiful, constructive, solid and long.” 

Research data shows that Jet Lag weakens the immune system and negatively impacts performance. With this partnership, Uplift will support Team Novo Nordisk's athletes to reduce the impact of Jet Lag on the body’s physiological systems and sleep. 

 “We are very excited to be entering into a partnership with Team Novo Nordisk,” said Uplift CEO Ted Finn. “The Athletes and mission of Team Novo Nordisk inspire us to redefine what is possible with diabetes, and we are honored and humbled to assist them in their journey. We know that races can be won or lost in a matter of seconds and that traveling across time zones impacts performance, and this is where we can make a difference”.

"It's no secret that I achieved my greatest success at the Tour de Pologne in 2019," explains Charles. "I have good memories of winning the Most Active Rider jersey. This result represents exactly who I am, what I've always tried to be and also how I want to race: on the front foot every day, on the attack and trying to get in the breakaway. Winning a jersey in a World Tour race is very special," he concludes. "I can't wait to race in Poland again and show what is possible with diabetes."   

While Charles Planet celebrated success in southern Poland, Mateusz Rudyk - a member of Team Novo Nordisk since 2020 - won a bronze medal at the World Track Cycling Championships. Already as a child he was a promising cyclist, in fact he won the Tour de Pologne Junior, valid as a national championship. When he achieved his first career victories, he already knew he had diabetes, but at that time the level of treatments in Poland were very different from what it is today. The main question the young Rudy had was whether it would be possible to continue playing the sport he loved. Despite these doubts, he managed to become a successful athlete, joining Team Novo Nordisk in 2021.   

"In 2019, they invited me to one of the stages of the Tour de Pologne in Rzeszów, to meet the team," he explains. "That's how it started. Then there was an exchange of emails, zoom talks and a few months later I joined this big family."   

Team Novo Nordisk’s mission is now known all over the world. It’s the first professional cycling team in which all athletes compete with type 1 diabetes. These riders race to inspire, educate and empower all those affected by diabetes and to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.

The American team will be returning to the Tour de Pologne this year and the General Manager, Vassili Davidenko says the team is excited to be competing on Polish roads again, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and fighting against the best riders in the world.

“It’s always been a successful race for us and we’re honored to be invited back by our friends. 2020 was our last time racing in Poland and it was a beautiful week of mixed terrain. Our past success and the prestige of the Tour de Pologne make this race one of our main goals of the 2022 season. This summer we’ll have lots of miles in our legs and our strongest team will be ready to perform. We can’t wait to be back!”   

The Lang Team is very proud to give Team Novo Nordisk another chance to show how it can be possible to compete at high levels and at the same time live with diabetes.

“It is inspiring that people with diabetes do not give up and that movement and sport helps them to get through,” said Czesław Lang. “For years we have been inviting Team Novo Nordisk to our race and we are happy about their participation because they prove that you have to fight, but the condition is not a sentence. They fully deserve the wild card and to show up at a race of the World Tour rank.”

By choosing Team Novo Nordisk, the Lang Team confirms the will to combine sport with stories that can inspire people to give their best in every situation in life, despite difficulties and misfortunes.

A positive 2021 campaign unfolded with standout performances coming at the Five Rings of Moscow and in the Czech Republic at the Tour of South Boheme along with a string of consistent results that saw Filippo Ridolfo, Jan Dunnewind and Robbe Ceurens all make the step up to the professional team

 The fact that TNN devo riders keep progressing up to the senior professional team year after year is viewed as a good problem to have by Development Team General Manager Daniel Holt.

“Developing riders for the highest level of racing is hard, time consuming work,” began Holt. “But I am happy to say that the pipeline is alive and well and operating on all cylinders. In addition to the three devo riders that graduated to the pro team in 2021.”

“Our Talent ID Camp was the most successful ever. We were able to discover five new riders for the Devo team and one rider was able to go directly to the ProTeam. The years ahead look bright with our young, talented riders waiting on the side lines for their chance to show their abilities.”

 The United Kingdom and France prove to be the two mainstay breeding grounds for 2022 with three riders apiece hailing from the closely aligned shores. 20-year-old Ben Barnett from the UK and 19-year-old Frenchman Celestin Wattelle join American Justin McQuerry and Belgian Kobe Godts as the team’s new additions alongside Italian cyclocross talent Jacopo Colladon.

 “Our first season as a UCI Continental Team was a great learning experience for our riders and staff,” said Holt. “Having a fully European calendar was demanding, but our riders took the challenge in their stride, and grew into it throughout the season. This experience is invaluable when it comes to getting riders ready for the step-up to our ProTeam.”

There’s a good mix of existing riders and new talent coming on board for 2022 and although the team is taking on a new shape the systems and objectives remain the same, with the major goal to continue to develop by racing a full European U23 calendar.

“We are going into the season with basically a brand-new team,” concluded Holt. “Three of our team leaders got the call-up to the ProTeam, and now we are looking ahead to see which riders will make use of the opportunity and take on the responsibility of captaining the Devo team.”

“In 2022, we have over 70 race days planned with the early season races taking place in Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. After assessing the team at these early races, we may adjust the calendar, but we will keep our core objective of progressing throughout the season to achieve our major goals and keep our development on track.”

Team Novo Nordisk Development 2022:

Ben Barnett (GBR, 20)

Sacha Bietry (FR, 22)

Jacopo Colladon (IT, 19)

Nigel DeSota (USA, 27)

Louis Evans (GBR, 21)

Kobe Godts (BEL, 20)

Justin McQuerry (USA, 27)

Dorian Percrule (FR, 23)

Nathaniel Smith (GBR, 21)

Celestin Wattelle (FR, 19)

Founded in 1989 in Montreal and working at the forefront of full carbon fiber frame technology since 2000, it’s fair to say that the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team will be in safe hands.

“We are very excited to be entering into a new partnership with Argon 18,” said TNN General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “It’s always a special feeling to be starting a new season on brand new bikes, especially when it’s a technical partner of the caliber of Argon 18 who, it’s fair to say, have become a byword for speed and quality at the highest level, both on the road and on the track.”

“The competitive experience of Argon 18 in these different pursuits, road, track and triathlon give the brand huge technical insight and expertise that they are constantly putting back into their research & development. This means that our guys will get the best of the most cutting-edge technology around and we are sure that those gains will be of huge importance to us come race day.”

With 2022 set to be a season packed full of race days for TNN from February through to November, the new partnership sets the perfect platform to get off to a flying start with the unique message of Team Novo Nordisk to drive change in diabetes now being carried around the world on Argon 18 bikes.

“This partnership marks a new chapter for Argon 18, as we partner with athletes and initiatives that really inspire us as a company,” said Argon 18 CEO, Martin LeSauteur. “We’ve always challenged ourselves to provide the highest level of performance for our riders, and now we’re able to work directly with riders who overcome challenges at a very personal level. What the Team Novo Nordisk riders achieve is incredible. We hope to see more people inspired by these athletes.”

“We want to contribute to growing awareness about prioritising health, and celebrating those who challenge themselves at this level, like the riders of Team Novo Nordisk,” concluded Argon 18 Chairman, Henrik Lyngbye Pedersen. “We can support that with our products and knowledge. We would like to see even more people ride together, extend relationships, have a purpose in their training and live stronger, healthy lives. The partnership between TNN and Argon 18 brings 100 years of history together in one mission. With Novo Nordisk being from my home of Denmark, and the discovery of insulin in Argon 18’s home of Canada, this partnership is strengthened through our combined heritage.”

Kopecký missed out on double championship titles by only three seconds, after finishing in second place in the individual time trial only two days before the 18-year-old stormed to victory in the road race.

Born in Rotterdam but representing the Czech Republic due to his Father’s side of the family, Kopecký started cycling at the age of eight and quickly fell in love with the bike. Coming from an active family with both his brother and sister also riding at elite level, Kopecký started out racing cyclocross before switching to the road.

“Signing for Team Novo Nordisk is surely one of the best things to ever happen to me,” said Kopecký. “I have dreamed of becoming a professional cyclist all my life, and now my dream is coming true. The hard work has paid off and I am more motivated than ever to ride my bike. This is a huge opportunity that I want to take with both hands.”

“Until last season I was primarily focussing on cyclocross, where I managed some nice results in youth categories. But this past season my focus shifted to the road. I managed to do well in some big U-19 stage races and also won the Czech national road championship. Competing on the road is now my full priority.”

First coming to the team’s attention at this year’s Talent ID camp in Caen, France. Kopecký quickly confirmed his potential with his results on the road at both the World and National Championships.

“Matyáš is new to the program,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “He joined us at our Talent ID camp this summer and really impressed. We knew about his potential from his record racing cyclocross, but he blew us away less than two months after the camp by placing 18th in the junior world’s road race, winning the U-19 Czech nationals and coming so close to the double with second in the time trial.”

“We are all excited to welcome Matyáš to the Team Novo Nordisk family and to help him develop and reach his full potential. He is still very young, only 18-years-old and there will be a lot of work involved to help him reach the next level, but he is very determined and focused which is great to see and we are confident that we can help him every step of the way.”

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was 15 years old. Kopecký has not let it hold him back. Fortunate to be surrounded by a strong group of supportive family and friends, his first thoughts were “what about my cyclo-cross race at the weekend?!”

Educating himself on how to manage and live with diabetes, it was only a short time after that Kopecký learned about Team Novo Nordisk and the amazing story of co-founder and CEO Phil Southerland and the inspirational athletes who compete around the world striving to change diabetes and carry their message of empowerment.

“After I was diagnosed, I immediately started to read everything on the internet about diabetes and cycling,” said Kopecký. “Quite quickly the name of TNN popped up. Me and, especially my Dad, read everything about the team and its goals. All the stories of the riders and also Phil Southerland were very special to read and taught me that everything is still possible, and that I do not have to give up on my dream of becoming a professional cyclist.”

“My first season will be a transition from the junior category to racing at professional level. This is a big step, so I do not have major expectations in terms of results. I want to make progress and be useful to the team, but I feel good and eager to get started.”

That time of year has come around again. The air is getting cooler, days are getting shorter. The nights are drawing in, the autumn light is golden, and contracts are being renewed, old faces remaining, and new ones announced.

“It’s a busy time of year, that’s for sure,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “We always have an eye on squad development, structure and planning for the future, but the business really gets done as we hit the off-season. These four guys are all important to Team Novo Nordisk, to our past, present and future and we’re very happy to have confirmed extensions with all four.”

“David is one of our leaders and most consistent riders and what he brings to the team is not just measured by results, but also what he gives the younger guys like Declan, who showed us in 2021 what he’s capable of and his progression this year has been a real positive.”

Experienced Irishman Clancy is looking forward to what will be his tenth year with the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team and his commitment to carrying the team’s message of inspiring, educating and empowering around the world is what makes the 29-year-old an asset both on and off the bike.

“I am very happy to re-sign for 2022,” said Clancy. “After so long on the team it really does feel like home and it’s incredibly rewarding to be in a position to travel around the world racing my bike and changing diabetes. I am delighted to be able to keep on living the dream and be a part of this special team and community.”

Racing 8,900km over 55 days of competition in 2021, Spanish climber Lozano was once again one of the lynchpins of the team and also managed to fulfill a new mentor role for the development team at the Adriatica-Ionica race in Italy.

“I have been a part of the Team Novo Nordisk family since 2012 and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” said Lozano. “It’s been a difficult year for us, 2021 didn’t yield the results we expected, at least not as consistently as we wanted, and I know from all my years here that we can turn that around.”

“One of the best things about this past season has been our team spirit, sticking together when times have been difficult, everyone committed to their jobs and also that we managed to race a full calendar despite the global situation with COVID.

“But I think the highlight for me was racing Adriatica-Ionica with the devo team as a road captain and experiencing that leadership role with the young guys who are on the way up was unforgettable. Trying to help them and teach them through the race is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my career.”

Declan Irvine was flying through the wet final stage TT at the Tour of Denmark, showing the form and determination that had characterised his season before disaster struck. Taking a tight downtown Copenhagen corner at speed, the 22-year-old slid out, bounced up a curb and broke his leg. Somehow, he managed to finish the stage.

“I am really excited to get back to racing with the team again in 2022,” said Irvine. “I had a breakthrough season this year that was cut short due to breaking my leg in Denmark. I am well on the road to recovery now, back on the bike and looking to continue on this upwards trajectory next season beginning with my first ever elite National Championships in January.”

A top ten finish on the final stage of Belgrade Banjaluka in April served notice that French sprinter Benhamouda was starting to come into form and the 26-year-old had high hopes of a result at the Tour de Hongrie. However, those hopes were dashed after a crash on stage three took Benhamouda out of the race and into the ambulance with a broken collarbone.

After a protracted period of recovery, the Carcassone native returned to competition with a series of races on home soil at Limousin, Besancon and Jura. Doing enough to secure an extension into 2022.

“It is great to know that the team has placed their trust in me for again for next season,” said Benhamouda. “I am very happy and looking forward to the challenge. As always, I will give my best and my motivation is very high for next season. My main goal is to achieve good results as I have done in the past and get myself and Team Novo Nordisk onto the podium.”

Belgian sprinter Robbe Ceurens and Italian rouleur Filippo Ridolfo both impressed in stagiaire roles with the pro team at the back end of the season and are rewarded with neo-pro contracts for 2022 along with fellow devo, Dutchman Jan Dunnewind.

“It really is testament to the systems that we have built internally over the years,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “That gives these athletes the opportunity and platform to develop, improve and make it to the pro team. The pipeline from Talent-ID to junior, to the development team and hopefully the pro team was a dream of ours in the beginning we have worked hard to make it a reality.”

“Year on year we have proven that as a system it works and now, we have three more riders coming through to take their chance. It’s very exciting. All three guys have had very solid seasons with the devo team and first Robbe at the Tour of Denmark and then Filippo at CRO-Race showed that they belong with the professional team by performing well as stagiaires.”

For 20-year-old Ceuren’s, turning professional is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to his dream that began as a child growing up near Brussels in a family full of cycling enthusiasts, in particular his grandfather who was DS of a local team.

“I’m super happy that Team Novo Nordisk has given me the opportunity to sign a professional contract,” said Ceuren’s. “I’ve been riding competitively for 11 years now and I can’t actually believe I’m really turning pro next year, it’s a dream come true.”

“I’ve followed all the steps of the Team Novo Nordisk development pipeline. I started at the Talent Id camp, moved on to the junior team, then the development team. Now I can happily say I that I am joining the pro team. I hope I will adapt quickly to the pro level and try to achieve some results and thank the team for the opportunity and trust they have shown in me.”

Hailing from Udine amid the rolling hills of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, young Italian Ridolfo rides with a maturity and consistency that belies his 19 years, performing particularly well at the Five Rings of Moscow back in June and the Tour of South Bohemia in the Czech Republic.

He closed out 2021 by riding selflessly as a stagiaire in support of senior riders Andrea Peron and David Lozano at the CRO-Race in late September, producing positive daily performances that were met with a first pro contract at the finish line in Zagreb.

“Finally, it's official that the next year I will be turning professional and this is fantastic!” exclaimed Ridolfo. “I’ve been working towards this and now it's happening, of course it’s a big step, but I am ready for this and I will do my best to not waste this opportunity.”

“2021 has been a very good season with the development team, we raced a lot of important races and managed some good results. I want to thank everyone involved with the devo team for helping me progress throughout this season. I think all of these important races throughout the last year will help me to be ready for what’s coming up.”

Like Ceurens 23-year-old Dutchman Dunnewind has been through every step of the Team Novo Nordisk development pipeline and understands that the passage into the senior pro team comes not only with a raising of the game performance-wise, but also a higher level of responsibility that applies to training and the understanding that a neo-pro’s first season is as much about learning as it is results.

“I'm really happy that I will move up to the pro team next season,” said Dunnewind. “I will have to make an extra step in my training, but I'm ready for it and can't wait to start building up to the new season.”

“In my first season I hope to learn a lot from the more experienced riders and aim to show the jersey in the race. I really enjoyed my time in the devo team. Everyone on the team is really close. It feels like a family. But I feel ready for the next step now.”

Home of the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling teams principal sponsor, Novo Nordisk, the Tour of Denmark represents one of the most important races on the calendar for the American team. Making the breakaway, shooting for the top ten and carrying the Changing Diabetes message are all on the agenda from the opening stage in Struer on the coast of Jutland to regal Frederiksberg for the final day individual time trial.

“The Tour of Denmark is always a hugely important race for us,” said Vassili Davidenko. “It is a great opportunity for us to show our thanks and appreciation to Novo Nordisk for all their support and try to give something back with some strong performances. It’s going to be amazing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin with our sponsors who are long standing healthcare pioneers on their home soil.“

“What’s extra special and also extremely satisfying for us is that after an impressive season so far, we will have one of our development riders, Robbe Ceurens racing as a stagiare with the pro team in Denmark. It’s one of the key pillars of our philosophy to develop young talent and help these athletes progress, so for Robbe to have earned this chance is wonderful and backs up that our structure is solid and in good working order.“

“We know it will be a hard race, it always is, but we have our goals and objectives and it’s crucial that we show ourselves and do our best to share our message of educating, empowering and inspiring everyone affected by diabetes."

The 20-year-old Belgian has produced some fine performances for the Devo team in 2021 and is excited to be stepping up in such a big race for the team to race alongside experienced leaders like David Lozano, Italian sprinter Andrea Peron and former Hungarian road champion Peter Kusztor.

“For sure I am really excited about the opportunity to race as a stagiare at the Tour of Denmark,” said Ceurens. “That’s what the dream is. To come through the pipeline, the development team and then achieve the chance to race for the senior professional team and prove yourself. I know it’s going to be a very tough race, but I can’t wait to get on the start line.“

“It's a dream come true to start a race on this level, the fact that the pro team gives me this opportunity means they believe in my abilities and that gives me such a boost. I'm really motivated, and I’m looking forward to make my debut in a pro race.”

A great example for Ceurens is young Australian Declan Irvine who came through the ranks and has enjoyed what can be considered a breakthrough season this year with strong rides in every race and the 22-year-old will be alongside Ceurens in Denmark with Italian Umberto Poli and Brit Sam Brand completing the line-up.

“I remember my first real pro race,” said Irvine. “At the Tour of China in 2018, you can’t help but feel excited and nervous, despite how many races you’ve done in the past as a junior or devo, there’s nothing like pinning a number on as a professional and rolling out of the neutral zone as the flag drops. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Covering close to 800 kilometers over five days of racing, the parcours will be challenging and suited to the big, powerful riders of the peloton, but one rider who won’t be intimidated is Ceurens as the Belgian looks to take it all in and enjoy the experience.

“The moment I will stand on the podium during the team presentation,” concluded Ceurens. “Or ride between all those pro riders during the stages, I will start realizing how far I've come already, and I can show people that it's possible to compete at the highest level of sport with diabetes and achieve your dreams.”

“After stepping up to Continental level this year with the Devo team we mainly focused on UCI races in Europe. This was already such a big step forward for us and I really enjoyed my season racing these bigger races, so for me and all the other devo riders we gained so much experience and learned to enjoy everything that came our way and learn as much as you can.”

Team Novo Nordisk at the Tour of Denmark, 10^th – 14^th August:

Sam Brand (GBR, 30)

Robbe Ceurens (BEL, 20)

Declan Irvine (AUS, 22)

Peter Kusztor (HUN, 36)

David Lozano (ESP, 32)

Andrea Peron (IT, 32)

Umberto Poli (IT, 24)

Tour of Denmark stages:

Tuesday 10^th August, Stage 1: Struer – Esbjerg, 175.9km

Wednesday 11^th August, Stage 2: Ribe – Sønderborg, 183.4km

Thursday 12^th August, Stage 3: Tønder – Vejle, 219.2km

Friday 13^th August, Stage 4: Holbaek – Kalundberg, 190km

Saturday 15^th August, Stage 5: Frederiksberg, 10.8km (ITT)

"Busby is the best cycling app for road safety and we are excited to announce this collaboration and join them in the mission to help improve road safety through technology," said Phil Southerland, CEO and co-founder of Team Novo Nordisk.

Busby’s development started after the co-founder Barry Green was involved in a serious cycling accident. Since then, Busby has been on a journey to make the roads and trails safer for everyone; from cyclists and runners to e-scooters and horse riders, and it is now trusted by thousands of cyclists and has monitored millions of miles of activities.

James Duffy, Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Busby, said of the new partnership: 'Team Novo Nordisk's mission over and above riding bikes is hugely inspiring. It's something we align with in our own way by giving people a tool to help them lead a safer active life. As a type 1 diabetic myself, seeing this partnership come to life is hugely rewarding and it's one that's close to my heart. With road safety being a global issue, we hope that by working with this incredible group of athletes, we can inspire others around the world to take safety seriously by using Busby's safety features; not only when cycling but every time you head outside.'

The collaboration between Team Novo Nordisk and Busby will see all the Pro and Devo riders as well as the staff get a free premium Busby subscription in order to provide the whole team with additional safety on the roads.

"Road safety is a global issue and something we care about deeply,” continued Southerland. “Thanks to Busby, our riders and staff are never alone and are always protected in case of an incident on the road, which gives us an invaluable peace of mind."

Rudyk boasts a strong pedigree on the track, a bronze medalist in the sprint at both the 2019 World and European Championships and a gold medal winner in the team sprint at the 2016 European Championships, the Pole currently tops the UCI rankings as the world’s fastest individual sprinter.

After a delay caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, Rudyk officially joined the Team Novo Nordisk family in 2021, becoming the second officially supported track star of the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team alongside multiple US National Champion Mandy Marquardt.

“As an athlete who competes with type 1 diabetes, joining Team Novo Nordisk was a dream come true for me,” said Rudyk. “I am always proud to represent my country, but I’m also proud to be able to race around the world as an ambassador for all of those whose lives are affected by diabetes and there’s no bigger stage as an elite athlete than the Olympic Games.”

“Participating in the Olympics was my dream since I started playing sports. It is the biggest sporting event in the world, and I am sure that every athlete has dreams of being there and competing.

“My goal to win a medal and at the very least stand on the podium. Ever since I started getting results, I say everywhere I go that I have diabetes and with hard work I have become one of the best cyclists in the world. Now, I want to show that you can enter the biggest competition in the world with diabetes and succeed.”

One twist of fate brought about by the postponement of the Olympics due to COVID-19, is that they now take place in the 100^th anniversary year of the discover of insulin and to have the chance to celebrate this on the Olympic stage is something that is not lost on General Manager Vassili Davidenko.

“To have a member of Team Novo Nordisk competing at the Olympics, the biggest sporting event in the world is truly wonderful,” began Davidenko. “It’s something we have been dreaming about and driving towards over the last few years. And not only will Mateusz be competing in Tokyo he will be competing for a medal in multiple events and has a real chance of success.”

“There is no bigger global sporting stage than the Olympics and we will be on that stage to share our message and show the world that diabetes is not an obstacle to achieving your goals. 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, the life saver for everyone affected by diabetes around the world and there’s no better way of celebrating that, than by a world class athlete with type 1 diabetes showing that nothing can hold you back when your dream is as strong as your ability.”

When Rudyk hits the boards there will be an additional 450 million voices cheering him on from around the world and the voices of that unique community maybe just the spur he needs.

“We will all be cheering Mateusz on and supporting him from the side lines,” concluded Davidenko. “The Olympics is such a unique and special experience for a sportsperson, one that fills you with pride to be representing your country alongside the best athletes in the world. But it’s also an experience that you should try and enjoy amidst the focus and the desire to succeed. This is the culmination of years of work and dedication for Mateusz and we can’t wait to see him out there on the boards. Good luck Mateusz!”