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.

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

Kopecky delivered a composed and consistent performance across all four stages, rising above a competitive field to secure the white jersey. His achievement adds a significant milestone to Team Novo Nordisk’s mission-driven journey in professional cycling.

“This is a special moment - not just for Matyas, but for the entire project,” said Phil Southerland, CEO and Co-Founder of Team Novo Nordisk.  “To win our first Best Young Rider jersey shows how far we’ve come and reinforces our belief that living with diabetes doesn't limit potential. Matyas raced with heart, and the team stood strong behind him.”

The Région Pays de la Loire Tour, known for its fast-paced racing and technical terrain, served as the perfect platform for Kopecky’s rising talent. His performance reflects both his personal growth and the team’s upward trajectory in the European peloton.

After finishing with the leaders on each stage Kopecky took the white jersey on yesterday’s stage three, holding off the challengers on the fourth and final day of racing to finish seventh on the stage and seal the white jersey win.

“This is a really special moment,” began Kopecky. “Not just for me but for everyone involved with Team Novo Nordisk and the whole diabetes community. Climbing onto the podium at the end of the stage was incredible and brought home the significance of what we have achieved.”

“The start of race was very nervy until the break went and then things settled down. The guys did a great job in keeping me at the front, carrying speed and holding position. Then it exploded. The last 60km was full gas, really technical circuits, left, right, up and down on the steep climbs, but that’s where I started feeling better.

“Last lap Massimo (Podenzana) was saying to me on the radio ‘the last climb you attack’ and when we hit the climb he just started screaming “ATTACK!!”. So I went with another guy from FDJ and took seventh place and the white jersey. This is one race we go away from without thinking ‘what If’…”

This is only the third ‘jersey victory’ in the history of Team Novo Nordisk which means Kopecky joins an exclusive club alongside former riders Quentin Valognes and Charles Planet.

Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team, continues to show what's possible when athletes race not only to win but to inspire, educate and empower. Kopecky’s white jersey win is a powerful symbol of what’s achievable through perseverance, teamwork, and above all through belief.

As the official bicycle care partner of Team Novo Nordisk, Finish Line will provide its premium range of lubricants, cleaners, and maintenance products to ensure the team’s equipment performs at the highest level throughout the season.

“Maintaining our equipment to the highest standard is critical to our performance, and we’re thrilled to have Finish Line as our official bicycle care partner,” said Vassili Davidenko, General Manager of Team Novo Nordisk. “Their expertise and innovative products will play a vital role in keeping our bikes in peak condition, allowing our riders to push their limits and inspire the global diabetes community.”

“Finish Line is proud to support Team Novo Nordisk and their inspiring mission to redefine what’s possible in the world of cycling and diabetes management,” said Thomas Finn, Marketing Manager at Finish Line. “Their work is not only groundbreaking but also deeply personal to us, as their mission is near and dear to our hearts. Their determination, innovation, and teamwork perfectly align with our commitment to delivering high-performance products that help athletes achieve their best. We’re honored to be part of their journey and look forward to contributing to their success both on and off the bike.”

Through this collaboration, Team Novo Nordisk continues to strengthen its network of partners dedicated to supporting athletes living with diabetes. With Finish Line’s cutting-edge products, the team will benefit from optimal equipment performance, allowing them to focus on competing at the highest levels of the sport.

For more information, visit www.teamnovonordisk.com and www.finishlineusa.com

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.

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.”

 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.

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.”

“The new addition of Hyperice to the TNN Sports Performance and Recovery Program provides an exciting set of new tools,” said Rafael Castol, TNN Chief Medical Officer. “We believe that Hyperice’s versatile line of recovery products will help our athletes to optimize muscular recovery in real time and on the go without losing valuable time in order to maximize their performance during training and racing”.

Hyperice is the leader in recovery and movement enhancement technology. Designed in collaboration with the world’s best athletes and physiotherapists, Hyperice products improve physical performance by reducing warmup and recovery time and helping to loosen sore muscles.

“We are excited about our partnership with Team Novo Nordisk,” said Shawn Beitelspacher, VP Endurance and Specialty Retail at Hyperice. “With our mission of helping everyone on earth move better and Team Novo Nordisk’s mission to inspire, educate and empower people affected by diabetes, our organizations are perfectly aligned to show what is possible for those living with diabetes.”

“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.’’Their helmets are nicely designed, high quality and guarantee the safety of our riders which is our main priority. Plus, Catlike has always believed in our project and it is great to have their support in spreading our mission to inspire, empower and educate people living with diabetes.’’

Catlike is a Spanish brand founded in 1996 and the partnership with Team Novo Nordisk is a long term one and started several years ago.

‘’We are partners since 2013 and Catlike has always believed in our project,’’ continued Davidenko. “We are grateful to also have their support in spreading our mission to inspire, empower and educate people living with diabetes.’’

The Catlike has been recently acquired by the Portuguese Polisport Group, which has a solid market presence manufacturing product related to the two-wheels industry and is established as a market leader with a growing international presence. 

«Team Novo Nordisk’ goal of empowering people and athletes affected by diabetes is one of the most inspiring missions in today's cycling world,’’ Catlike Business Unit Manager Eugénio Tavares said. ‘’Being partners since 2013, we couldn't be more proud to renew our partnership. It's an honor to be a part of such an inspiring mission. Being a brand that focus on innovation and commitment for developing the best possible gear for demanding cyclists, we review ourselves in their passion and commitment for cycling, health and well-being. »

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

With two riders moving up to the men’s pro team (Lucas Dauge and Logan Phippen) and nine riders remaining from 2020, it’s safe to say that the team development pipeline is in good working order.

The three new riders add to the team’s European element with 21-year-old Doriand Percrule from France, 18-year-old Tom Tiegelaar from the Netherlands and 20-year-old Nathan Smith from the UK.

“Every year, I'm happy to say, the Devo team has the same problem,” began Development Team General Manager Daniel Holt. “The top riders progress to such a degree that we are forced to graduate them to the professional team, leaving the Devo team to start over again.”

“In recent years this has become less of a problem though with our younger riders really stepping up and raising the average level of the team. We have a great core to the team that I know we can grow off of. I've never had more confidence in the entire team as a whole than I have going into the 2021 race season. I can take these guys anywhere and I know that they will perform up to the team's standards.”

Both Percrule and Smith come with some national racing experience and climbing pedigree and both were attendees of the first Team Novo Nordisk virtual Talent ID camp in July 2020, while Dutchman Tiegelaar moves up from the junior team.

“The team's new riders have been in our pipeline of athletes through the Talent Identification Camps for some time,” continued Holt. “I've watched Nathan Smith out of the UK and Doriand Percrule from the island of Reunion (France) grow from everyday sportsmen into very well-trained athletes that take their training and nutrition, as well as diabetes care, very seriously.”

“After seeing their results pour in at the races and their power profiles grow by leaps and bounds, I can say that they will be very valuable assets to the team. Now it's time to get them to some big races and see what they can do. Our third addition to the team, Tom Tiegelaar from the Netherlands, made it through the Junior team with some good results and his power numbers are even more impressive. I think all three riders will bring a core fitness level to the team that we don't normally get from first year riders.”

A European racing calendar and the move up to the level of Continental Team are the two biggest changes and challenges that face the devo’s in 2021 and Holt is optimistic about the benefits for the youngsters as they look to embrace and make the most of the new opportunities.

“The calendar that I have prepared for the team is something that we have never done before,” concluded Holt. “2021 will truly be a challenge for the team. So, we will try to keep that in mind when giving clear objectives to the riders and allow them the room to grow, develop and become accustomed to a different style, and level, of racing.”

“If we can keep the team motivated through the season, and give them plenty of rest, then I think 2021 will be a great growing year for the team. Experience is key in bike racing and we will try to give them as many opportunities as possible to learn as much as they can.”

Team Novo Nordisk Development Team begin their 2021 season on Wednesday March 3rd in Croatia at the UCI 1.2 categorized Trofej Umag/Umag Trophy.

The full 2021 roster includes :

• Sacha Bietry (FRA, 20)
• Robbe Ceurens (BEL, 19)
• Nigel Desota (USA, 25)
• Jan Dunnewind (NED, 22)
• Louis Evans (GBR, 19)
• Przemyslaw Kotulski (POL, 20)
• Doriand Percrule (FRA, 21)
• Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 19)
• Ulugbek Saidov (UZ, 24)
• Nathan Smith (GBR, 20)
• Vaclav Snuparek (CZ, 25)
• Tom Tiegelaar (NED, 18)

In a move that marks another progressive step forward in the whole development of the Team Novo Nordisk family, the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team will now have two squads competing professionally across the world.

“The idea of bumping the team up to a Continental Team has been something I’ve been hoping to be able to do for a several years now,” explained devo team manager Daniel Holt. “I’m happy to say that I believe the team can be competitive at this level now. One thing that really helped solidify the decision this season is that now the devo and pro teams have the ability to share some riders at races, giving the organization the opportunity to continue the development of riders at all levels.”

“The Devo team has basically been racing at this level for years now. A big part of our calendar has included UCI 1.2 and 2.2 races with many other Continental teams. One big difference this year though is that we will not have a team base in the USA, so there won’t be any domestic racing on the calendar. Filling the gap will be more European races with much bigger fields. This will be challenging for the younger riders and they will need to adapt quickly. I have confidence in the guys to do this well though. Here’s to a good season of learning!”

The level of competition will be stronger but making the jump to a European racing program will suit most of the squad as there is already a strong international backbone to the team with the majority of the roster coming from Europe.

Moving up in this way highlights the continued commitment of Team Novo Nordisk and their sponsors to the global diabetes community and couldn’t have come in a more significant year as 2021 marks the centenary of the discovery of insulin and now two pro teams will be carrying that message and that celebratory number on their jerseys as they jostle for space in the pro peloton.

“In 2020 the devo team had a great year of growth and success,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland. “Despite the challenges presented by Covid-19 we as an organization managed to overcome significant obstacles to make big leaps forward and the progression of our young development team to the level of Continental Team for 2021 is a clear sign of our intention to keep on moving forward.”

“We are proud to be able to celebrate the lifesaving anniversary of the discovery of insulin in 2021 by having more of our riders out there on the world stage, helping us all to continue to change diabetes for all those whose lives it affects and it’s important to remember that these are our champions and heroes of tomorrow.”

The multiple benefits of having two pro teams competing around the world is something that is not lost on the team’s executive management as Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko explained.

“There are several factors that lead us to the decision to move the Development team to Continental level,” concluded Davidenko. “Access to more international races, the opportunity to test devo riders more often with the pro team and also help us to provide better support to the team. In general, we believe it will help us to provide smooth development and to continue to move riders on to the next level – the senior professional team.”

“It is the next step for us, and we are prepared to approach and overcome challenges. The rider’s fitness will be well aligned with the races we want to participate in, and we are ready for more with full confidence and excitement. Together with Novo Nordisk affiliates, we'll have more opportunities to highlight our mission and more people will be inspired during this special year of 100-years since the discovery of insulin.”

Team Novo Nordisk Development Team begin their 2021 season on Wednesday March 3rd in Croatia at the UCI 1.2 categorized Trofej Umag/Umag Trophy.

“We are very pleased and proud to be working with a sports nutrition partner like Maurten,” began TNN Chief Medical Officer Rafael Castol. “It's a brand that fully focuses on providing top level endurance sports athletes with top quality, natural carbohydrate-based products for optimal energy in training and performance and that fits in perfectly with how we try to look after and prepare our athletes.”

Maurten is a young company that already boasts an impressive background in elite level athletics having worked closely with marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and triathlon and Iron Man champion Jan Frodeno.

2021 marks a determined move into professional cycling for the Swedish company and with Team Novo Nordisk celebrating the 100th year anniversary of the discovery of insulin, there was no better time to join forces with an innovative partner like Maurten.

“By now it’s no secret that we are celebrating a significant milestone this year,” continued Castol. “Without insulin people affected by diabetes would not be able to live the lives that they can and do now and Maurten’s ground-breaking use of Hydrogel technology in sports nutrition ties in with our general of approach of how we want to develop as a team, embrace innovation and create the best environment for our athletes to succeed.”

“Hydrogel technology is an innovative technology that allows the athlete to absorb and deliver carbohydrates at different concentrations with great tolerance and assimilation. It provides a constant and stable delivery of carbohydrate mix for optimal fuelling requirements without impacting or stressing the gastrointestinal (GI) system.

“This is really important, especially for professional cyclists who need to constantly refuel whilst on the bike over long distances. Proper carbohydrate intake for athletes is fundamental for reaching their top potential and optimizing their performance and should not come at a cost of higher GI issues.”

Working with Maurten aligns with the underlying philosophy and vision of Team Novo Nordisk that obstacles are there to be overcome and problems there to be solved, the team’s research, medical and performance team work tirelessly on how to keep improving and advancing athletically and also in the management of diabetes - above all by utilising scientific evidence as the foundation of how best to implement those improvements.

“Vision, scientific perspectives and reputation are the key factors in choosing Maurten as a partner to deliver sport nutrition products to our athletes,” concluded TNN Head of Performance Federico Fontana. “Standards of excellence in production, internal testing, technical support, technological advancements, ingredients and available evidence backed up Maurten with solid foundations on which we’ll base our long-term relationship.”

“Nowadays it can be cumbersome to choose the right sport nutrition company since the plethora of products is overwhelming. However, one factor stands above all others. Scientific testing. With their extensive internal product testing, and their openness in sharing results, Maurten is putting itself as a leading company in the sport nutrition scene. Being on the cutting edge of advancing the field with a high standard of scientific practices is what is driving our confidence in their products.”

To learn more about Maurten, please visit https://www.maurten.com/

Rudyk will continue to race and compete on the track as he prepares for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12, Rudyk joins 18-time US National Champion Mandy Marquardt as Team Novo Nordisk’s second fully supported professional track athlete.

“Joining Team Novo Nordisk is an important stage in my career,” began Rudyk. “The team consists of people with diabetes, just like me, and it shows that with diabetes you can be a professional athlete and achieve high results in sports.”

“The Olympic Games are my main goal. I want to fight for a medal, and I believe in myself. My goal is to show people that with diabetes I am able to be the best in the world.”

Boasting an impressive pedigree on the track, Rudyk won a bronze medal in the individual sprint at the 2019 World Championships in Pruszków and another bronze in the individual sprint at the 2019 European Championships in Apeldoorn. With the Tokyo Olympics the big goal for 2021, Rudyk and Team Novo Nordisk will work together over the coming months to provide the best possible environment for Rudyk to train and prepare for Tokyo.

“First and foremost, Mateusz is a really good young man, goal orientated, and has a big dream for Tokyo,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland. “The fact that one of the world’s top track sprinters is joining Team Novo Nordisk is a big boost to all of us. He and Mandy have developed a friendship, and to think we have the chance at both male and female Olympians from Team Novo Nordisk is truly a dream come true.”

“Mateusz doesn't just want a medal at the Olympics, but he wants to leverage that visibility as a means to educate, empower, and inspire the diabetes community. I really look forward to working with him, helping him not only in his sporting goals, but to see his role as a hero for all of us with diabetes come to fruition. Together, we will be stronger. Together our message will go farther. And together we will be changing diabetes for the world, one person at a time.”

2021 is a major milestone and anniversary for all of the people living with diabetes around the world as it marks the 100th year anniversary of the discovery of insulin. Keenly aware of the significance of 2021 for the diabetes community and particularly for Team Novo Nordisk, Rudyk is thankful for the opportunity joining the team presents.

“This is an important year for everyone with diabetes,” continued Rudyk. “If not for the discovery of insulin, life with this disease would have been completely different. I cannot imagine my life without insulin, it accompanies me all the time and it is one of the most important elements of living with diabetes.”

Rudyk’s first contact with Team Novo Nordisk came years earlier as a visitor to the team bus at his home Tour in Poland and after the first wheels were set in motion, the team finally had their man.

“We met Mateusz a few years ago at the Tour du Pologne and we have been developing a relationship since then” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “He is one of the world’s top track sprinters and a great example for everyone to see what is possible with diabetes. 2021 is an Olympic year and also 100 years since the discovery of insulin. What better way to showcase the importance of this than with Team Novo Nordisk athletes doing well at the Olympics.”

“With our structure and support within the team we want to provide Mateusz with all the help necessary to help him achieve his goals and show the world that diabetes isn’t a barrier to achieving Olympic success.”

Team Novo Nordisk is set to begin the 2021 season at the Trofeo Laigueglia in Italy on March 3rd.

Prologo was born with the ambition to become the leading manufacturer of quality saddles in the world, bringing innovation and changing the way athletes think about the saddle in the different disciplines: Road racing, XC, Cyclocross, and Gravity.

“Prologo is a high-end boutique brand that creates some of the top saddles in the world and we are honored to have them join Team Novo Nordisk as an official partner,” Team Novo Nordisk Senior Vice President of Athletics Vassili Davidenko said. “Their saddles are innovative and crafted with some of the leading technology in the world. They invest significant resources into research and development to ensure they are bringing some of the lightest and most supportive saddles to the market.”

Prologo’s sponsored athletes and teams have won Olympic and World titles, as well as iconic races such as Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Tour of Flanders, and many more.

“We are honored to be an official partner of Team Novo Nordisk. This team is re-writing the history of professional cycling, showing us every day the true meaning of sport: overcoming adversities and improving quality of life,” Prologo General Manager Salvatore Truglio said. “Prologo believes in the power of sport and its social impact as well as collaborations to improve our products. An organization like Team Novo Nordisk, with its results and mission, is an unbelievably valuable partner. Good luck to the riders and the entire staff for the incoming season.”

Prologo’s innovative and patented technologies are designed in collaboration with the excellence of the cycling world and developed to guarantee the best riding experience for everyone.

To learn more about Prologo, please visit https://www.prologo.it/en

ROAD iD makes wearable identification for people on the go. Should the need arise, their ID products communicate who you are, who to contact, and the medical information necessary to ensure proper care is received. Countless stories and testimonials from customers who have used the customizable wrist, necklace, and shoe IDs over the years are a testament to the power of wearing ID, with many customers citing they might not be alive today had it not been for their ROAD iD.

“We are thrilled to partner with Team Novo Nordisk to promote ROAD iD’s mission of safety,” said Edward Wimmer, CEO of Road ID. “Our partnership with Team Novo Nordisk is an exciting and unique opportunity to support an amazing team of athletes, promote the value of active lifestyles, and share the life-saving story of ROAD iD.”

“When people are diagnosed with diabetes, many think they can no longer live life in the same way. Since the team’s inception, our goal is to help people with diabetes believe they can still chase their dreams,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland. "This partnership feels very synergistic because we both strongly share the vision to get people active. Combined with the fact that many of our riders already wear medical ID bracelets as they train and race with type 1 diabetes, this partnership serves as another tool to help the diabetes community exercise safely.”

2021 marks Team Novo Nordisk’s ninth season racing as part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) ProSeries, which takes them to numerous countries around the world in Europe, USA, Africa, and Asia as they race to change diabetes. Team Novo Nordisk has more than three dozen athletes and ambassadors from 18 different countries within its pipeline.

By combining the strengths and expertise of the two organizations, this partnership will focus on high-value and engaging digital content that empowers people to be safe when doing the sports and activities that they love.

“Aside from Covid-19, 2020 has been a pretty stellar year. For our organization, the biggest highlight was Novo Nordisk extending our partnership through 2023. We are incredibly proud to have such an amazing partner to continue changing diabetes for the world,” Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland said. “We saw tremendous progress within our pipeline, including our biggest Talent ID camp in the team’s history. The development team had a great year of growth and success and the pro team made a solid step forward in confidence.”

All athletes on Team Novo Nordisk race with diabetes. This unique distinction means that the team’s foundation makes it feel like a family and many riders remain with the organization for their entire professional careers.

After only 40 race days across 12 races due to Covid-19, Team Novo Nordisk started focusing on 2021 early and quickly moved to sign new riders Lucas Dauge (FRA) and Logan Phippen (USA) from the development team and extend with team veterans David Lozano (ESP), Andrea Peron (ITA), Charles Planet, and former Hungarian champion Peter Kusztor, who joined the organization in 2019.

“What a difficult, stressful, and strange year, but I feel the entire organization stepped up as strong ambassadors for the diabetes community. Throughout the year, we focused our attention on keeping everyone safe while still figuring out creative ways to keep sharing the team’s mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes,” Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko said. “I am proud to say that all our major sponsors stayed with us through this difficult time. We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of them. Now we are eager to move on to 2021 and hopefully it will include more consistent racing!"

Before travel restrictions went into effect, Team Novo Nordisk kicked off the 2020 season by securing numerous top 10s at the International Rhodes Tour. Following the racing hiatus, the team returned to racing with a seventh-place finish at the Circuito de Getxo by Planet. In late August, Lozano wore the King of the Mountain’s jersey for multiple stages at the Tour de Hongrie.

“We started strong in Greece, with three different riders taking top 10s, and after lockdown, watching Charles return with a top 10 in Spain was huge. But I would say the team effort at the Tour de Hongrie was my highlight of the year,” Southerland explained. ”The guys rode their hearts out to keep David in the red jersey, which was only lost on the final stage through a tiebreaker. It is that passion and hunger that makes me so proud of this team.”

Building on the positives will be key for 2021 and what will be a landmark year for the team and the global diabetes community.

“2021 is a year we’ve had our sights on for some time, and we are proud and honored to celebrate 100 years of life for people with diabetes on a global scale. We do not take our roles lightly and we are driven to keep showing the world what is possible when you take control of your diabetes thanks to the lifesaving invention that is insulin,” Southerland concluded. “We look forward to leveraging the added layer of visibility this brings to the project to show how far the world of diabetes has come and to keep inspiring the next generation of heroes out there living with the condition.”

The full 2021 roster includes:

• Hamish Beadle – NZL
• Oliver Behringer – SUI
• Mehdi Benhamouda – FRA
• Sam Brand – GBR
• Stephen Clancy – IRL
• Lucas Dauge - FRA
• Gerd de Keijzer – NED
• Joonas Henttala – FIN
• Declan Irvine – AUS
• Brian Kamstra – NED
• Peter Kusztor – HUN
• David Lozano – ESP
• Sam Munday – AUS
• Andrea Peron – ITA
• Logan Phippen - USA
• Charles Planet – FRA
• Umberto Poli – ITA

“Since the team’s inception, we knew locating and developing athletes with type 1 diabetes was essential for the long-term success and sustainability of the project,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland. “This is the eighth year we’ve held talent identification camps, and they serve as a vital recruitment tool for our pipeline of talented athletes with type 1 diabetes. The strength and depth of our project have grown enormously thanks to these camps, but we are always searching for the next superstar who is living with diabetes.”

The Sufferfest training platform, which is part of Wahoo Fitness’ training ecosystem, will be at the core of the 2020 Talent ID Camp. Participants will complete The Sufferfest’s Half Monty Advanced Ramp Test before the camp to set and evaluate baseline values for FTP (functional threshold power), MAP (maximal aerobic power), and to refine their estimated NM (neuromuscular power) and AC (anaerobic capacity).

During camp, athletes will complete daily structured workouts on The Sufferfest app, including both cycling-specific workouts and cross-training. All athletes will complete The Sufferfest 4DP Full Frontal fitness test to get precise values across all four performance metrics (MAP, FTP, NM, and AC) and to help team management evaluate athletes. At the end of the camp participants will complete the Half Monty again to track improvement.

“Performance metrics are an important aspect of what makes young athletes suitable for a professional racing team,” said The Sufferfest founder David McQuillen. “The advanced fitness tests in The Sufferfest allow coaches and athletes to get deep insight into their strengths and areas for improvement. We’re proud to be able to partner with Team Novo Nordisk on their first-ever virtual Talent ID camp and help them as they work to set their 2021 roster.”

Since 2013, Team Novo Nordisk’s Talent ID camps have been held during the summer on the University of Georgia campus, which is Southerland’s alma mater. While this year’s Talent ID has shifted to a digital experience, the goals remain the same. Team Novo Nordisk is actively looking to find the next big talent to race for the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team.

“For nearly a decade, we get to watch the children attending these camps achieving one of their earliest dreams. It is an absolute honor to be a part of that milestone, and we don’t take it lightly that we are helping to create the next generation of heroes with diabetes,” said Southerland. “Through camp, children with diabetes are connected to their role models and given tools to empower their journey of living and thriving with diabetes. It gives me great pleasure that we expanded the 2020 camp to so many more athletes and I’m eager to meet all these future champions.”

The campers will race and train together on The Sufferfest alongside Team Novo Nordisk’s professional, development and junior riders while also working closely with licensed health care professionals to learn more about sports and diabetes management. The camps are open to young, active, endurance athletes ages 15-23 with type 1 diabetes.

What makes this year’s Talent ID camp unique is that the digital format allows for the Talent ID campers to ride alongside Team Novo Nordisk professional athletes. Historically the camps have been limited to about 25 athletes, but this year Team Novo Nordisk has expanded to nearly 70 campers.

Team Novo Nordisk, whose mission is to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes, has nearly 40 members across its development and professional teams and ambassador program. To find out more about joining Team Novo Nordisk’s junior or development squads or to apply for a future Talent ID camp, visit www.teamnovonordisk.com.

"Mandy is an outstanding athlete and we’ve seen tremendous growth in her endurance and abilities over the years," said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland. "Mandy has been an instrumental part of our program for more than a decade and serves as the team’s standout female professional athlete. She’s put together some strong performances over the past year and we are proud to have her named to the longlist to represent the United States at the Tokyo Olympic Games and show the world what is possible with diabetes.”

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 16, the now 28-year-old Marquardt represented the United States at the 2020 UCI Track World Championships in Berlin, Germany. In 2016, she was named to the U.S. Olympic Long Team for track sprinting and has represented the United States at multiple UCI Track World Cups and World Championships.

Career highlights include 18-time U.S. National Champion, two-time U.S. National Track Record Holder – 500m Time Trial and Team Sprint (set in 2016), Pan American Track Champion (2017 Team Sprint), five-time Pan American Track medalist (2016 Team Sprint-Bronze, 2017 Keirin-Silver, 2017 500m Time Trial-Bronze, 2018 Team Sprint-Silver, 2019 Sprint-Bronze) and continuous Team USA World Cup member (since 2014).

“It has always been one of my biggest goals to represent my country at the Olympic Games. I am honored to be named to the USA Cycling Long Team for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and be one step closer,” said Marquardt. “It means the world to me to prove to myself what I’m capable as an athlete and what is possible with diabetes. This motivates me to continue to train each and every day, and to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes worldwide to achieve their dreams."

Since graduating from Penn State Lehigh Valley in 2014, Marquardt has been training full-time for UCI track races, UCI Track World Cups and the Olympic Games. The Olympic lives in Allentown, Pennsylvania and spends part of the year training at the Velo Sports Center in Carson, California. When in Pennsylvania, Marquardt trains with Edge Cycling and is coached by Edge Cycling Director Andrew Harris. She also serves on the Penn State Lehigh Valley Alumni Society Board of Directors. Marquardt remains a Penn State Lehigh Valley cycling coach but has had to take a backseat to prioritize her quest to become an Olympian.

The postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics will take place from July 23 to August 8, 2021. USA Cycling announced their Olympic Long Teams for the Road, Track, and Mountain Bike disciplines. Marquardt was confirmed as a member of the Long Team for Women’s Track with the final selection to be determined in late spring of 2021.

The diabetes community is resilient, COVID-19 won’t stop us from thriving. Together, we are connected for life. In support of the 5K@ADA Run/Walk, Team Novo Nordisk has officially added the event to its race calendar.

“The 5K@ADA Run/Walk has been dear to our hearts since its launch. Over the years, Team Novo Nordisk’s athletes have proudly been an instrumental part of the 5K in aspects from winning the event to serving as pacers embedded in the community because this event perfectly aligns with our mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes,” said Phil Southerland, Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder. “The 5K@ADA serves as the ideal representation of how Team Novo Nordisk and Novo Nordisk partner around the challenge to make the world a healthier place. This event allows our team and Novo Nordisk to lead by example, actively live our mission, and collectively participate in some good, healthy fun. Together, we are game changers in the diabetes field.”

For 15 years, the 5K@ADA has been an official event during ADA’s Scientific Sessions and has brought together over 13,400 participants. Through the continued support of Novo Nordisk, the 2020 5K@ADA Virtual Challenge is free of charge to all participants. Everyone is encouraged to sign up, lace up and head out the door, right from their home over the weekend of June 12-14, coinciding with the ADA Virtual Scientific Sessions.

“While COVID-19 has stopped us from racing and prevented us from gathering together in Chicago, it doesn’t stop us from being ambassadors for the diabetes community and encouraging people to dream big and keep chasing their goals,” Southerland said. “Physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices are essential for everyone--both those living with and without diabetes--and the 5K@ADA Virtual Challenge is an ideal way to exercise together.”

To mark the 15th anniversary of Novo Nordisk’s support of the 5K@ADA, the ADA published the 5K@ADA mobile app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Complete with interactive experiences, including training plans for walking and running, a selfie station and social media integration, the 5K@ADA app has all the information to participate in the Virtual Challenge.

“Events like the 5K@ADA help us remain connected to members of our community, it also encourages regular physical activity which is an important part of better diabetes management,” said Tracey D. Brown, CEO of the American Diabetes Association. “This is a big year for us at the ADA. We are celebrating several milestones: our 80th Scientific Sessions and the 15th anniversary of Novo Nordisk’s 5K@ADA run/walk event. I challenge the ADA Scientific Sessions community and all ADA members to participate in the 5K@ADA Virtual Challenge.”

“Together with ADA, we are pleased to announce the 5K@ADA Virtual Challenge. We had hoped to gather in Chicago and celebrate several milestones with ADA: the 80th Scientific Sessions and the 15th anniversary of Novo Nordisk’s partnership with the 5K@ADA,” said Thomas Thestrup-Terp, VP of Commercial Operation, Novo Nordisk. “While we won’t be gathering in person, I know that we will gather in spirit.”

Physical activity, including walking, is an important tool in diabetes management, which helps people living with diabetes lead healthier lives. For the more than 122 million Americans with diabetes and prediabetes, it takes perseverance to live with and manage their health on a daily basis. The 5K@ADA Virtual Challenge brings together people across the globe to emphasize the need for increased physical activity to help prevent diabetes and diabetes complications. This awareness activity provides participants with the opportunity to raise public awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing and managing diabetes.

To sign up for the 5K@ADA Virtual Challenge, please visit https://www.ada5k.com/ and remember registration is free!

Beyond Type 1 is a nonprofit organization changing what it means to live with diabetes. By leveraging the power of social media and technology, Beyond Type 1 empowers people to both live well today and support a better tomorrow. Through peer support programs, global campaigns, and digital platforms, Beyond Type 1 is uniting the global diabetes community across both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, helping to change what it means to live with chronic illness.

“This is one of the most symbiotic and natural partnerships in the history of the Team Novo Nordisk and we are eager to see what we can do together to change what it looks like to live with diabetes,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland. "We’ve enjoyed watching Beyond Type 1’s growth over the past five years and can’t wait to empower our combined communities to keep chasing their dreams with diabetes.”

Recently Beyond Type 1 announced that it would expand its collection of websites, resources, and unique content into five new languages: Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Swedish. This builds upon its existing English and Spanish content.

2020 marks Team Novo Nordisk’s eighth season racing as part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) ProSeries, which takes them to numerous countries around the world in Europe, USA, Africa, and Asia as they race to change diabetes. Team Novo Nordisk has more than three dozen athletes and ambassadors from 18 different countries within its pipeline. This includes six native French speakers, six native Spanish speakers, five native Dutch speakers, two native German speakers, and two native Italian speakers.

“Team Novo Nordisk’s international cyclists offer tremendous inspiration, showcasing how people with diabetes can compete at the highest of levels,” said Beyond Type 1 CEO Thom Scher. “We’re thrilled to be working together to serve new communities globally, working together to provide education and raise awareness for everyone impacted by diabetes.”

By combining the strengths and expertise of the two organizations, this partnership will focus on high-value and engaging digital content that empowers the global diabetes community.

“Team Novo Nordisk has been by my side for a decade. Every time I train and race, I feel a sense of purpose because of the impact we are making together around the world,” said Marquardt. “I am grateful to have the support from a team of people who believe in me, and I feel fortunate to race my bike as my job and I have fun doing what I love.”

Marquardt is slated to represent the United States at the 2020 UCI Track World Championships when it kicks off on Wednesday, February 26^th in Berlin, Germany.

“As I head into Worlds, this team provides me with the added value of connecting with the global diabetes community and helping to inspire the world. The phrase “Changing Diabetes” on my jersey is powerful and encourages me to be the best athlete I can be,” explained Marquardt.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 16, the now 28-year-old Marquardt will compete as part of USA Cycling’s 12-athlete team. She will race in the match sprint. This serves as her third UCI Track World Championship appearance.

"I’ve known Mandy for 11 years now and the transformation she’s undergone in the past year to develop into one of the best track athletes in the world is a testament to her hard work and dedication,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland. “In addition to her successes on the track, Mandy serves as one of our most committed ambassadors consistently working with the diabetes community and helping to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes.”

Career highlights include 18-time U.S. National Champion, two-time U.S. National Track Record Holder – 500m Time Trial and Team Sprint (set in 2016), Pan American Track Champion (2017 Team Sprint), five-time Pan American Track medalist (2016 Team Sprint-Bronze, 2017 Keirin-Silver, 2017 500m Time Trial-Bronze, 2018 Team Sprint-Silver, 2019 Sprint-Bronze) and continuous Team USA World Cup member (since 2014). Marquardt has represented the United States at multiple UCI Track World Cups and was named to the 2016 U.S. Olympic ‘Long Team’ for track sprinting.

“Ever since I met her as a teenager, Mandy continues to be one of the most focused athletes that I’ve had the honor of working with. As she continues to deliver outstanding performances on the track, we are immensely proud to have her racing in the Changing Diabetes jersey,” said Southerland. “She is an inspiration to all women with diabetes, and we hope her journey and successes will inspire the next wave of women with diabetes to dream big.”

Since graduating from Penn State Lehigh Valley in 2014, Marquardt has been training full-time for UCI track races, UCI Track World Cups and the Olympic Games. The Olympic lives in Allentown, Pennsylvania and spends part of the year training at the Velo Sports Center in Carson, California. When in Pennsylvania, Marquardt trains with Edge Cycling and is coached by Edge Cycling Director Andrew Harris. She also serves on the Penn State Lehigh Valley Alumni Society Board of Directors. Marquardt remains a Penn State Lehigh Valley cycling coach but has had to take a backseat to prioritize her quest to become an Olympian.

The UCI Track World Championships will be held in Berlin, Germany from February 26 – March 1^st.
 

The group was originally formed with the aim of being the first team in the world made up entirely of athletes with diabetes. They decided to take on the ambitious mission to show that diabetes does not have to be an obstacle to pursuing your dreams and achieving your goals. By sharing their experiences and stories of their daily lives, the riders have become a source of inspiration for the 430 million people who live with this condition. Their program promotes the fundamental values of cycling, where determination is the real key to accomplishment.

CEO and Co-Founder of the team, Phil Southerland, says he is honored that the Lang Team is still supporting their project, which will provide their platform with international exposure during the race. “We do not take this wild card lightly,” he added. “And we will arrive ready to light up the race and show the world what is possible when you have diabetes. In 2020 this will not change, and we will approach this event with the same drive and motivation as always.”

General Manager Vassili Davidenko feels the same. He says: “For our team and sponsors, we feel the continued support from the Tour de Pologne shows a recognition of our growth and a belief in our team’s unique message. Year after year, our project continues to grow, and we will show our appreciation by lining up with our best squad and racing aggressively at an event that suits the skills of our team.The route is really diverse and has something for every type of rider, meaning there will be lots of opportunities for us over the seven stages. With the squad we have, we will be looking to make the most of these opportunities, taking every chance we get to prove ourselves and building on the success we had at last year’s race.

Czeslaw Lang explained his choice by saying, “This is a unique team that combines high sports performance with noble goals. During previous editions of the Tour de Pologne, Team Novo Nordisk riders have made a very good impression. The best example is Charles Planet, who last year won the Lotto Most Active Rider classification and was the leader of the Tauron Best Climber classification for four stages.”But the boss also pointed out the importance of the values that motivate the entire team. “Inspiration and support for all people with diabetes is a message that should be promoted in Poland and around the world.”

In February 2019, the owners of Firstaid4sport’s son Max was rushed to the hospital. The then six-year-old boy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and received a Rufus Bear to help him learn how and where to inject insulin. When he was released from the hospital, Max set the goal of raising enough money to donate 200 Rufus Bears for newly diagnosed children throughout the UK. In addition to supporting Team Novo Nordisk, Firstaid4sport donates a percent of sales from its MAXTape to JDRF.

“The Team Novo Nordisk and Firstaid4sport partnership is a personal one. Diabetes only chooses the champions and it is clear that Max is definitely a champion. It is empowering to see kids as young as Max already motivated to give back to the diabetes community,” Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland said. “We look forward to having the support of Firstaid4sport as we travel the world changing diabetes. It is with their assistance through quality medical supplies that we are able to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes.”

The family-run Firstaid4sport was born after its director Gemma Davison tried to provide treatment to an injured hockey player and struggled to find the first aid kit amongst the mass of black bags brought by the team. Upon finding the kit, Gemma realized the contents were not appropriate to treat the injury.

Fifteen years later, Firstaid4sport provides bright orange medical bags complete with sport-specific first aid kits to sporting medical professionals and enthusiasts to prevent and treat injuries quickly, which allows for faster recovery. Firstaid4sport supplies a range of clubs from Super League Club Huddersfield Giants to England Dodgeball with medical bags, but no matter what size or stature the club, they always receive the same quality products and excellent customer service. To Firstaid4sport, safety in sport is paramount no matter what level you compete at.

“Firstaid4sport is incredibly proud to become the medical bag partner of Team Novo Nordisk and we look forward to supporting the team throughout the season. Team Novo Nordisk’s mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes is something close to our mission of raising money for the JDRF through the sales of our Max Tape,” Firstaid4sport Business Development Manager Catherine Gray said. “This partnership will ensure that the team has access to the highest quality medical supplies ensuring every rider will be protected throughout every race.”

These frames are from Colnago’s high-end road range and are designed with the renowned Italian company’s tailor-made precision. The C64 features carbon fiber tubes and lugs glued together, which are made entirely by hand in Cambiago, Italy. The Concept, V2r and V3r frames push the boundaries of aerodynamics. The Concept was designed in a wind tunnel and is suitable for racing on flat terrains, fast, and sprints. The V2r is a compromise between lightweight and aerodynamic that makes it ideal for climbing thanks to its versatility. The V3r is the newest edition with improved lightness and aerodynamics that provides a stiffer and more comfortable ride.

For the first time in its eight-year history, Team Novo Nordisk will race on disc brakes. Industry-leading cycle component manufacturer Shimano’s disc brakes dominate the global market thanks to their superior modulation, heat management, and all-weather stopping power. Additionally, Team Novo Nordisk men’s pro team will race on Shimano’s Di2 shifting system and use Shimano power meters. The integration of the digital precision behind Shimano’s Di2 shifting and its critical power meter data will provide the athletes with instant, accurate shifting and precise data at the most intense time during a race.

“Shimano is proud to continue its long partnership with Team Novo Nordisk. The team’s mission to bring global awareness to the diabetes epidemic aligns perfectly with Shimano’s goal to promote health and happiness,” Shimano’s Road Brand Manager Nick Legan said. “We couldn’t be more excited for the season ahead, Team Novo Nordisk’s first on Shimano disc brakes, and wish all the riders and staff the very best of luck.”

The significant change to Team Novo Nordisk’s 2020 GSG-designed navy-blue jersey is the addition of “99^th year” in various locations throughout the kit. This highlights the fact that insulin, the lifesaving drug for people with diabetes, was discovered 99 years ago. The jersey continues to predominantly feature the words “Changing Diabetes” across the chest and white text with the team’s mission ‘inspire, educate and empower’ repeating around the torso. The light blue circle serves as the global symbol for diabetes awareness. The 2020 changes are designed to bring awareness to Team Novo Nordisk's mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes.

Team Novo Nordisk will kick off its racing season in February at the Tour Colombia following a 10-day training camp in Altea, Spain.

Team Novo Nordisk’s men’s professional team will race the 2020 season on:

• Colnago frames
• Shimano components including groupset, wheels, power meters, pedals and shoes
• GSG Cycling Wear
• lululemon off-the-bike apparel
• Veloflex tires
• Catlike helmets
• Wahoo power trainers, computers and heart rate monitors
• Selle Italia saddles
• Bee1 socks
• FSA/Vision handlebars, stems and seat post
• B&W bike bags

To become a member of Team Novo Nordisk, all athletes must have type 1 diabetes. Since its launch in December 2012, the organization has focused heavily on identifying and developing endurance athletes from around the world with diabetes, building junior and development squads currently totaling 30 athletes. Both of Team Novo Nordisk’s new athletes are products of its development program. Beadle’s selection was announced in September.

In addition to Beadle and de Keijzer, Team Novo Nordisk proudly announces it has extended contracts with standout riders Andrea Peron (ITA) and Charles Planet (FRA). Planet’s extension was announced earlier this month.

“Andrea had a nice season and I am proud of his results along with his positive attitude. I believe his results were partly due to the addition of Peter Kusztor, who has a tremendous ability to rally the guys around protecting Andrea,” Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko said. “We’ve known Andrea for nearly a decade, and he has always delivered on his dreams. He dreams of winning a professional race; hopefully, we can make that dream come true together.”

Peron helped lead Team Novo Nordisk to its most successful season to date by earning nine top 10 finishes including third on Stage 1 and eighth overall at the Tour of Estonia, eighth on Stage 7 of the Tour of California, and eighth on Stage 3 of the Tour de Pologne. The last two results serve as Team Novo Nordisk’s first top 10s at World Tour-caliber races.

“By far my proudest memory of the year were the two top 10s. I always enjoy a race where the start list is the best in the sport,” Peron said. “It was a big year for me, both with strong results and with the birth of my son. All of this served as a boost and I want to thank my coach, Federico Fontana, who also deserves credit for this season.”

While new to the roster, the 25-year-old de Keijzer raced three seasons with Team Novo Nordisk’s pro team from 2014-2017. The Dutchman briefly stepped away from the professional ranks before returning in 2019 to Team Novo Nordisk’s development squad to gain experience. Based on his results, he earned a spot back on the pro team for the 2020 season.

“It is extremely hard to earn a professional contract in bike racing, so I’m proud of this. For the 2019 season, I had one goal and that was to show the best me both on and off the bike. It was probably one of the best years I’ve had in cycling and I can’t wait to continue this growth into next year,” de Keizer said. “I spent time with the development squad years ago and being back this past season made it clear how it has grown in professionalism and strength. All of Team Novo Nordisk raise each other to a higher level and that’s what you need within a successful organization.”

This season, the Team Novo Nordisk men’s professional squad competed in four World Tour races: UAE Tour, Milan-San Remo, Tour of California and Tour de Pologne. The squad wore jerseys at each of the World Tour stage races and placed a historic four riders in the breakaway at Milan-San Remo.

Across 24 races in 15 countries, Team Novo Nordisk had its most successful season to date including two top 10s at World Tour races, podium results at the Tour of Estonia and Tour of China I, and more than two dozen top 10s overall. Standout results include Planet earning the Most Active Rider jersey at the Tour of Pologne, the team’s first overall World Tour jersey in its seven-year history. He also wore the Intermediate Sprint jersey for four days at the UAE Tour, the King of the Mountains jersey for three days at the Tour of Pologne, and the Most Courageous Rider jersey following the opening stage of the Tour of California. David Lozano (ESP) won the overall King of the Mountains jersey at the Tour of Taiyuan while Sam Brand (GBR) wore the King of the Mountains jersey for one stage at the Tour of Estonia.

“Looking ahead, I want to see some victories. We’ve gotten a taste of success this year with a record number of podium appearances, which has translated into a massive confidence boost throughout the entire organization,” Southerland said. “From a scientific standpoint, we had a big year of data collection, and now we can make some small interventions that we believe will help level the playing field for our riders. These small gains could be real difference-makers for the 2020 season, which serves as the 99^th year since the discovery of insulin. It is a big year for us, a big year for people with diabetes, and it is our chance to do a big leadout so that 2021 can be the best year for everyone affected by diabetes around the world.”

The full 2020 roster includes:

• Hamish Beadle – NZL
• Oliver Behringer – SUI
• Mehdi Benhamouda – FRA
• Sam Brand – GBR
• Stephen Clancy – IRL
• Gerd de Keijzer – NED
• Joonas Henttala – FIN
• Declan Irvine – AUS
• Brian Kamstra – NED
• Peter Kusztor – HUN
• David Lozano – ESP
• Sam Munday – AUS
• Andrea Peron – ITA
• Charles Planet – FRA
• Umberto Poli – ITA
• Ulugbek Saidov - UZB

Wednesday’s short 116-kilometer flat course within the city of Hunan saw the peloton ride at a high pace making it virtually impossible for a breakaway to stick.

However, after a hectic first 35 km of attacks, a small group got away that included Team Novo Nordisk’s Argentinian Emanuel Mini. The escapees opened a maximum gap of under a minute but were caught after 15 km to go as the attacks from the bunch kept coming thick and fast.

Team Novo Nordisk had set their eyes on the anticipated bunch sprint finale and worked tirelessly to keep Benhamouda in optimal position leading up to the final kick.

The 24-year-old, who had already shown great form when he took a top five result on Stage 3, laid down a brilliant sprint and finished runner-up to Marco Benfatto (Androni Giocattoli - Sidermec). It was the first podium result for Benhamouda and the second for Team Novo Nordisk this season after Andrea Peron finished third on the opening stage of the Tour of Estonia.

On Saturday, following a transfer day, Team Novo Nordisk resumes racing with Stage 6, a 132-km race between Yongshou and Ningyuan.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at only three years of age, Beadle doesn’t remember life without the condition. He grew up in an active family, and both his father and brother raced bikes. By age eight, he was already competing. As a junior in New Zealand, Beadle earned rankings on both the national and international track level. Additionally, he and his teammates set the New Zealand national record in the U17 team pursuit and U19 team sprint.

Beadle is part of a long line of athletes that Team Novo Nordisk discovered through its annual Talent ID Camps. The team brings in youth with type 1 diabetes from around the world to Athens, GA as an entry into the team’s development pipeline. Following the 2015 Talent ID camp, Hamish decided to switch disciplines from the track to the road and has raced as part of the team’s junior and development squads for the past five seasons.

“One of the things that I love most about this team is the family atmosphere that we cultivate from the first day we meet these riders. Team Novo Nordisk is unique because we’ve known most of our riders since they were 15. By bringing new riders up to our pro team through our pipeline helps us build upon that supportive environment,” Southerland said. “When Hamish moves up to the pro team, he will rejoin many teammates that he raced with as part of the development team. This supportive relationship makes the transition to the pro peloton easier because they share their wisdom and mistakes, so Hamish's step up will be that much smoother.”

For Team Novo Nordisk, this showcases the strength and value of the team’s development programs.

“Over the past season, we have seen strong and consistent improvement from Hamish. He has made significant growth since joining our program and he’s ready for this big step up,” Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko said. “Hamish has shown strong character and possess a great deal of determination, willingness to learn, and drive to become a better rider and great teammate. He will be guided by our experienced coaches and sports directors to make this transition to the pro level a successful one.”

During the 2019 season, the 21-year-old Beadle earned a list of accolades with Team Novo Nordisk’s development team including winning the Hincapie Spring Series, the Massachusetts State Road Race, the Georgia Games Time Trial and Road Race, the Hapeville Criterium and the Three River Rumble Road Race. Additionally, he’s taken podium finishes at the Oak Ridge Omnium, Haute Route Asheville, Burlington Road Race, and Tennessee State Criterium.

“It has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to race professionally for Team Novo Nordisk. To pull on a jersey for a team with a mission as special as ours to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes is an amazing honor,” Beadle said. “I’m heading to the pro team aiming to be a sponge and learn as much as possible from our veteran riders and experienced staff. I know that now is when the real work begins, and I am focused on keeping a strong, healthy mind while improving physically both in training and recovery. I am looking forward to our first training camp; I think that’s when all this will actually feel real.”

The cycling team, the only professional one made up of riders with type 1 diabetes, were carefully monitored to learn more about how their bodies coped with spending up to six hours a day in the saddle.

Dr Bracken, Dr Othmar Moser, Max Eckstein and Olivia McCarthy, from the College of Engineering, were part of a global team made up of experts from UK, US, Canada, Austria, Italy and Switzerland who presented research based on their studies at the American conference.

Their topics were:

• Sweet Performance: Associations of maximum physiological performance and diabetes in a group of world- class road cyclists with type 1 diabetes, (Max Eckstein)
• Time spent in glycaemic ranges and carbohydrate intake during cycling in professional cyclists with type 1 diabetes (Olivia McCarthy)
• Greater time spent in hypoglycemia during nocturnal than daytime period during intensified training in professional cyclists with type 1 diabetes–a prospective observational study (Othmar Moser) 

Dr Bracken said: “Being able to study the cyclists during their training presented us with a great opportunity. 

“We were able to find out more about the bespoke physiology of these elite athletes and better understand their responses to extreme exercise and the strategies they use – factors like food intake, sleep and medication adjustments.

“This provided us with important information that we could share to an international audience at the conference as well as in scientific journals.”

Swansea University is at the forefront investigation into diabetes and is home of the renowned Diabetes Research Unit Cymru. Now the researchers’ ongoing relationship with Team Novo Nordisk looks set to continue to provide greater understanding of the condition.

Team Novo Nordisk CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland said: “We are honoured to be a part of such ground-breaking research. The mission behind our team is to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes. “We are committed to demonstrating how our athletes race at the top level, day after day, with diabetes and are pleased that these techniques can be shared with healthcare professionals from all over the world and help empower and educate people with diabetes on how to approach exercise.”

Dr Bracken, his team and research colleagues from Austria have just returned from the Tour of Solvenia where they followed the riders over five days of the gruelling UCI-accredited race.

The researchers were able to measure the cyclists’ glucose levels continuously throughout the race as well as trial a novel device for automatic recording of injected insulins, meals composition and in-ride nutrition. He added: “This research is really helping us to provide the kind of information healthcare professionals need to encourage the wider type 1 diabetes community to do physical activity.”

Note to editors: 

When reporting this story, please use Swansea University hyperlinks. Swansea University is a world-class, research-led, dual campus university offering a first class student experience and has one of the best employability rates of graduates in the UK.

Swansea is ranked 30^thin the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. As well as achieving its UK top 30 position, Swansea was named runner-up for the overall University of the Year Title in the Good University Guide, and was also crowned Welsh University of the Year for the second time in three years.

The University has the highest possible rating for teaching – the Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in 2018 and was commended for its high proportions of students achieving consistently outstanding outcomes.

Swansea climbed 14 places to 31st in the Guardian University Guide 2019, making us Wales’ top ranked university, with one of the best success rates of graduates gaining employment in the UK and the same overall satisfaction level as the Number 1 ranked university.

The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 results saw Swansea make the ‘biggest leap among research-intensive institutions’ in the UK (Times Higher Education, December 2014) and achieved its ambition to be a top 30 research University, soaring up the league table to 26th in the UK.

The University was established in 1920 and was the first campus university in the UK. It currently offers around 350 undergraduate courses and 350 postgraduate courses to circa 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The University has ambitious expansion plans as it moves towards its centenary in 2020 and aims to continue to extend its global reach and realise its domestic and international potential.

Swansea University is a registered charity. No.1138342. Visit www.swansea.ac.uk

For more information, please contact Kathy Thomas, Swansea University Press Office. Tel: 01792 604290, or email:  katherine.thomas@swansea.ac.uk

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Team Novo Nordisk wanted to race aggressively and was committed to placing a rider in the break. After several attempts, it was Isle of Man native Sam Brand who forged ahead with three other riders. The quintet rode strongly, and after 30 kilometers their advantage over the peloton stretched to two and a half minutes.

Brand, who last week clocked over 1300 km in the saddle during the Amgen Tour of California, made the most of his form and got in the mix for the two jerseys up for grabs. The 28-year-old was second on the first KOM of the day and outsmarted his breakaway companions launching a fierce attack and going solo for eight kilometers to score maximum points on the second categorized climb. The move helped secure his lead in the King of the Mountains Classification, his first jersey as a professional cyclist.

“It’s my first jersey as a pro, so I’m over the moon! I followed my DS’s advice to save my energy and focus on the KOM fight. After getting second through the initial KOM and with the peloton catching up to us, I knew I had to go,” said Brand. “They chased me for two or three minutes, but I put my head down and continued solo. After the climb, I was so happy because I knew I had taken the jersey.”

In the final stretch, Peron sprinted to an impressive third place on the wet roads of Tartu. Less than a week after scoring team’s first Top 10 placing at a World Tour race, the 30-year-old secured Team Novo Nordisk’s first stage podium of the season.

To conclude a day of stellar teamwork, Frenchman Charles Planet crossed the finishing line in 10th and sits fifth in the overall classification, just 10 seconds off race leader Matthias Brändle (Israel Cycling Academy). Peron moved into seventh overall.

Tour of Estonia ends on Saturday with Stage 2, a 172.8-km race in Tartu where another bunch sprint finale is anticipated. Team Novo Nordisk will start the day with Sam Brand in the red jersey.

Hot off the heels of an impressive performance last week at the Tour of California, Planet made the most of his good form and powered across the finishing line in three minutes and 37 seconds, less than a second shy of the podium.

The short but technical parcours suited the 25-year-old Frenchman who for most of the day held the best provisional time. Eventually, Planet was dethroned in the hot seat by three other riders, including Matthias Brändle (Israel Cycling Academy) who confirmed his status as prologue favorite and won by almost 10 seconds to the second placed rider.

The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team put in a solid collective effort with Italian Andrea Peron and Dutchman Brian Kamstra finishing 11th and 12th place, respectively.

Team Novo Nordisk continues to fight for glory on Estonian soil on Friday with the 187-km Stage 1 that will link Tallinn and Tartu. Planet will start in the fourth position in the overall classification.

The seven-day race concluded with a shortish 126-kilometer stage that started in Santa Clarita and finished in Pasadena. Despite including only one categorized climb, the peloton still had to overcome plenty of elevation. The hard profile discarded several of the pure sprinters who were hoping to contest the stage win. As the peloton entered the final circuit in Pasadena, the last remaining survivors of the eleven-man breakaway were swiftly caught.

Throughout Saturday’s race, Team Novo Nordisk’s strategy was to keep Peron protected for the finish. As the race entered the final lap, the team’s lead-out delivered and placed the Italian in solid position heading into the sprint.

The 30-year-old Peron expertly navigated a chaotic finish, avoided a late race crash and surged to eighth place. Hungarian Peter Kusztor, who was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, finished in a respectable 18th place on the day and concluded as Team Novo Nordisk’s best place rider overall in 38^thposition.

Cees Bol (Team Sunweb) won the stage ahead of former World Champion Peter Sagan (Bora - hansgrohe) while Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) finished safely in the peloton and won the overall classification.

The result capped off a week of stellar teamwork that included Charles Planet (FRA) wearing the Amgen Breakaway from CancerMost Courageous Rider Jersey on Stage 2 after spending 125 kilometers in the breakaway including a late-race solo attack on the race’s opening stage. Teammate Joonas Henttala starred in the Stage 4 breakaway. Team Novo Nordisk ended the race in 14th position in the Teams classification, ahead of three World Tour teams, additional proof to the growth and depth in the squad.

“This year’s Tour of California was a great race for the team. On Stage 1, we got a jersey with Charles [Planet]. With today’s eighth place, it’s nice to leave California on a high note and finish with a Top 10,” said Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “All the guys did an amazing job and we are so proud of our team. They went above expectations and we are already thinking about the next targets and the next races. Thank you to Amgen, AEG and all race organizers for a fantastic event and we hope to come back next year!”

The 25-year-old Planet was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10. The Amgen Breakaway from CancerMost Courageous Rider Jersey is awarded daily to the cyclist who best exemplifies courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination, and perseverance. Planet wore the jersey back in 2014on Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the race.

“I remember being here five years ago and earning this jersey. It was my first day ever racing in America. I was only 20 years old, I couldn’t speak any English, and it came as a bit of a surprise. Fast-forward to today and my goal going into the day was to get a jersey.”

On Sunday’s opening stage, Planet was part of a four-man breakaway that escaped immediately following the start of the 143-kilometer race. The peloton kept the escapees on a tight leash and only allowed a maximum gap of two minutes. When the gap dropped under a minute, the breakaway splintered, and Planet set off alone. Despite a valiant effort, the Frenchman was reeled in with 19-km remaining.

The race was all together for three finishing laps around downtown Sacramento. Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) took the win with Team Novo Nordisk’s Andrea Peron finishing just outside the top 10 in 11^thplace.

The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team continues racing at the Amgen Tour of California on Monday with a 194.5-km stage that starts in Rancho Cordova and includes five categorized climbs before a Cat 3 finish into South Lake Tahoe.

“Sponsorship is challenging for any team and we are honored to now have the longest-running title sponsor of any current American-registered professional team,” said Phil Southerland, CEO and Co-Founder of Team Novo Nordisk. “We believe this is a testament to our mission, the multi-faceted approach we’ve taken through successes at races, global media exposure across endemic and non-endemic outlets, an unmatched social media presence and extensive community activities."

Team Novo Nordisk’s partnership with the Danish pharmaceutical company began in December 2012 based on the shared goals to inspire, educate and empower people around the world affected by diabetes. Before Team Novo Nordisk, the squad raced as Team Type 1 for five seasons with a mix of riders with and without type 1 diabetes.

“We are thankful to Novo Nordisk for this ongoing opportunity and look forward to the future. Over the past seven years, we have grown together with a long-term vision of identifying and developing athletes with type 1 diabetes. This partnership has allowed us not only to help them grow into amazing bike racers but also to be heroes for every person with diabetes around the world,” said Southerland. “In the first half of 2019, we have showcased our Changing Diabetes jersey aggressively at World Tour races by wearing the Intermediate Spring jersey for four consecutive days at the UAE Tour and placing a historic four riders in the breakaway at the iconic Milan-San Remo.”

Team Novo Nordisk is part of the Novo Nordisk’s Changing Diabetes initiative, a global commitment to improving conditions for the 425 million people living with diabetes today and those at risk of developing diabetes.

“We are proud to continue the partnership, Team Novo Nordisk is truly showcasing that when managed well, diabetes does not have to hold you back,” said Camilla Sylvest, Executive Vice President, Commercial Strategy & Corporate Affairs at Novo Nordisk.

Racing on the International Cycling Union (UCI) Professional Continental Tour, the team aims to increase awareness of diabetes with the world’s passionate cycling fans while also bringing a new audience to cycling through the extensive diabetes community.

With title sponsorship secured through 2020, Southerland emphasized that the team’s objectives remain focused on investing and developing athletes with type 1 diabetes.

“As Team Novo Nordisk and Novo Nordisk approach the 100^thanniversary since the discovery of insulin as dedicated partners, I am proud to continue changing diabetes together. We keep setting the bar higher and are driven to see how far our athletes can take this dream. We are determined to change the world one individual at a time.”

Since its launch, Team Novo Nordisk has built one of the largest fan bases in both professional cycling and diabetes. As of May 2019, the team has more than 8.4 million fans across its social media platforms.

“We are grateful for our millions of fans who follow our athletes daily along with the growing interest from physicians and journalists,” said Southerland. “Last year, we reached nearly four billion people through the media, and we are extremely motivated to keep growing this number. Together with Novo Nordisk, we are truly changing diabetes.”

First, we would like to thank Lang Team for inviting Team Novo Nordisk to the Tour de Pologne. This race carries enormous prestige, and we are eager to continue showing the team’s jersey and sharing our mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes.

This will be Team Novo Nordisk’s only race in Poland where more than two million people live with diabetes[1]. With the global reach of this race, we are able to show the value of exercise not only to Poland but to the entire world.

[1] https://www.idf.org/our-network/regions-members/europe/members/152-poland.html

Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko:

It is an honor to receive a wildcard invitation to the Tour de Pologne. We took a year off from this incredible race so we could continue investing in the development of our athletes and we are motivated to return for our third Tour de Pologne.

The 2019 season has seen us race at multiple World Tour races including the UAE Tour and Milan-San Remo and we have the Tour of California next month. We have raced aggressively and been very active throughout the season. At the UAE Tour, Charles Planet wore the race’s Intermediate Sprint jersey for four consecutive days and at Milan-San Remo, we placed four riders in the main breakaway, which brought tremendous global attention to the team’s mission.

For the Tour de Pologne, we are eager to see how our riders perform at a race which features mountains, fast sprints and plenty of breakaway opportunities. We will come with an aggressive squad focused on earning results.

The Tour de Pologne kicks off on Saturday August 3rd.

“Team Novo Nordisk is proudly an Atlanta-based team and we're very grateful to partner with the renowned Atlanta institution, Emory University, so together we can find ways to make small changes that will have a big impact on the lives of people living with diabetes,” said Team Novo Nordisk's Senior Director of Digital, Content and Compliance Zach Monette. “Team Novo Nordisk is fortunate to have a large and global digital audience who are united behind our mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes. We are always looking for new ways to create a tighter community and connect with them on a deeper level.”

The Atlanta-based Emory MAC is an academic enterprise designed to create knowledge related to business analytics. They strive to act as a hub for connecting practitioners, alumni, students and researchers interested in analytics. Marketing Professor Mike Lewis is the faculty director of MAC.

“We’re thrilled to give our students an opportunity to dig into data and apply analytical skills on this project,” said MAC Faculty Director Mike Lewis. “We’re fortunate to partner with an organization dedicated to inspiring people affected by diabetes.” 

For the Team Novo Nordisk partnership, a group of MBA and PhD students are working together with the ultimate goal of determining what content helps people affected by diabetes feel the most inspired, educated or empowered.

This group will analyze data sets that include various inputs such as time of posting, duration of the video, video type and outputs like viewers, location, shares and age group to run regressions. The team is digging in to establish metrics around questions such as “do shared videos garner greater engagement than videos played naturally on a newsfeed?"

The group plans to release their findings at Emory MAC’s annual conference in November.

Emory MAC is devoted to creating and disseminating findings and techniques that improve marketing performance. At their heart, they are a cutting-edge academic research group focused on advancing the field of Marketing Analytics. A major goal of the Emory MAC is to educate undergraduate, graduate, and executive students to better manage the various quantitative approaches to data management, usage, and dissemination. This is accomplished through coursework in both degree and non-degree programs, and in placement efforts. In their classrooms, Emory MAC offers a series of quantitative courses that introduce students to various statistical and field-based testing approaches involving both primary and secondary data. In the marketplace, they collaborate with firms to create internship and placement opportunities. Emory holds an annual conference that brings the practitioner community to Emory to network and learn about recent and cutting-edge developments in the field of Marketing Analytics. Their goal is to make Emory a place that creates knowledge, connects practitioners and trains students. Learn more at https://goizueta.emory.edu/faculty/marketinganalytics/index.html

While we represent the diabetes community, we proudly race as an American-registered team. The Tour of California serves as the most prestigious and sought-after professional bike race on US soil.

After stepping away for a year, we are eager to showcase our jersey and inspire the millions of people who watch this race globally to get out and exercise and chase their dreams. Historically, the Tour of California has been a standout race for us, and our riders have worn multiple jerseys and earned podium finishes. We are motivated to take full advantage of the massive media attention around the Tour of California and race aggressively to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes. We would love if everyone with diabetes would come out to the race and cheer for the team.

Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko:

We took a year off to invest in the development of our athletes and we are motivated to return for our fifth Tour of California. We are grateful to the ASO for extending this wildcard invite and we can officially say that this our race of the year. Since the start of the season, we have designed our calendar and coaching so that we bring the strongest roster possible to the most prominent American stage race.

After a noteworthy WorldTour showing at the UAE Tour in February where Team Novo Nordisk’s Charles Planet wore the race’s intermediate sprint jersey for four stages and riders featured in nearly every breakaway, we aim to build upon these results. Over the past few years, we have invested significantly in helping our riders learn and grow so they can race competitively against the best cyclists in the world. We will arrive in peak form and look forward to showing the world what is possible with diabetes.

The Tour of California kicks off on May 12th in Sacramento, California. The seven-day World Tour race passes through Lake Tahoe, Laguna Seca, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and Mt. Baldy before concluding in Pasadena.

"I am extremely excited to have Fitzalan join our leadership team. We wanted greater diversity among our executive team, and no one was better suited to be the first female within our organization than Fitzalan,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland. “Fitzalan has led the charge on Team Novo Nordisk's media for the past five years, and I’ve seen how much can be achieved through her intelligence and tenacity.”

Ms. Crowe’s resume includes nearly 15 years of communications and media relations experience from the sports, corporate and non-profit sectors. Crowe’s professional career began in Washington, DC where she worked for a Nobel Peace Prize-winning non-profit organization.

In 2010, Crowe switched to endurance sports after taking a communications assignment at the 2010 Tour de France. A lifelong fan of professional cycling, she began contracting for several professional cycling teams and bike companies, managing a range of communications needs in Europe and around the world. Based in Gent, Belgium, Crowe lives in the heart of bike racing, and her expertise in professional cycling has been a key driver to strategically expanding Team Novo Nordisk’s unique message to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes. She received her M.A. in International Relations with an emphasis on terrorism from Virginia Tech.

“Fitzalan embodies our mission and has a deep connection within our entire organization. I believe her leadership will allow us to make an even greater impact with current and future sponsors and continue to grow our traditional and digital media footprints,” said Southerland. “We aim to change diabetes for everyone in the world, and I’m confident that with the addition of Fitzalan's leadership that we will succeed."

Crowe started with Team Novo Nordisk in late 2013 and most recently served as the team’s Senior Director of Public Relations. Over her five-year tenure, she’s garnered global attention to the team by placing features in high-profile outlets including CNN, the Guardian, BBC, Bloomberg, the Huffington Post, Eurosport, and ESPN. Since Crowe joined Team Novo Nordisk, the team has earned nearly 11,000 stories highlighting the team’s unique mission with a potential annual online readership of approximately four billion readers. Additionally, she helped elevate the team’s visibility outside of cycling by organizing meetings with the United Nations, government leaders, and key stakeholders.

“Since joining Team Novo Nordisk, I have been incredibly passionate about this project and spreading its mission. It has always been more than a job. Everyone within the organization is passionate and driven to change what it means to live and thrive with diabetes," said Crowe. “I'm honored to join Team Novo Nordisk's executive team and bring my experience and insight. I look forward to helping Team Novo Nordisk grow and inspire everyone affected by diabetes to chase their dreams."

All athletes on Team Novo Nordisk race with type 1 diabetes. 2019 marks Team Novo Nordisk’s seventh season racing on the International Cycling Union (UCI) Professional Continental Tour, which takes them to dozens of countries around the world in Europe, USA, the Middle East, and Asia as they race to change diabetes.

lululemon is a healthy lifestyle-inspired athletic apparel company for men and women. They design innovative products for yoga, running, training and most other sweaty pursuits.

“I have worn lululemon clothing for years and I’ve enjoyed watching this company evolve into a highly-technical brand that caters to a wide variety of athletes,” said Southerland. “I’m excited for my athletes to wear these excellent products as we race around the world to change diabetes.”

“Wahoo is pushing the limits across their entire product line, which ensures our riders and coaches have the most advanced and reliable indoor training and computer system available,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland. “Wahoo started in Atlanta and we are proudly an Atlanta-based team, so this partnership feels natural. We believe together we can us push the limits of what’s possible with diabetes and keep inspiring, educating and empowering everyone affected by the condition.”

The Wahoo brand is known for innovation, quality, and performance and is the choice for elite athletes around the world, including Tour de France winners, UCI road race world champions and Ironman world champions.

“We're excited to be able to support a group of athletes who are equally committed to winning races at the highest levels of cycling as they are to providing inspiration to everyone affected by diabetes and raising awareness of the importance of exercise to lead a healthy life,” said Wahoo CEO and Founder Chip Hawkins. “Having pro riders using our KICKR Smart Trainer and TICKR products allows these athletes to track performance and guide training while racing at the top levels of professional cycling. Thanks to BOLT’s aerodynamic design, Team Novo Nordisk riders can feel confident that riding with our GPS computer will give them a competitive advantage in all of their races this season and next.”

The KICKR wheel-off smart trainer offers the most realistic road feel of any smart trainer currently available, allowing athletes to simulate outdoor riding while training indoors. The KICKR CLIMB grade simulator will enable athletes to realistically replicate the courses they will encounter during the season, and the KICKR HEADWIND smart fan will help athletes maintain an optimal core temperature while training. Team Novo Nordisk riders will also use the aerodynamic, easy-to-use ELEMNT BOLT bike computer, and the TICKR Heart Rate Monitor. Both devices measure critical race-winning efforts and allow the team to refine their training and racing strategies.

Team Novo Nordisk kicks off its 2019 racing season later this month with two races--the Tour du Rwanda (Feb 24-Mar 3rd), where Spaniard David Lozano won Stage 7 and took fifth overall last year, and the inaugural UAE Tour (Feb 24 – March 2nd).

About Wahoo

Located in Atlanta, GA, Wahoo Fitness has created a full ecosystem of sensors and devices for runners, cyclists and general fitness enthusiasts. Wahoo Fitness’s award-winning line of products include the KICKR family of smart trainers and accessories, the ELEMNT family of bike computers and the TICKR family of heart rate monitors. Learn more about Wahoo’s full line of products and apps at www.wahoofitness.com.

“Team Novo Nordisk compete all over the world and promote a can-do attitude to having type 1 diabetes. We wanted to find out more about the bespoke physiology of these elite athletes to better understand their responses to extreme exercise and the strategies they use – things like food intake, sleep and medication adjustments.”

While at the training camp, Dr Bracken and his colleagues meticulously collected nutritional, glucose and physiological data during the team’s intensive training and exhaustive cycle testing protocols.

Team Novo Nordisk is made up of riders from all over the world, united not only by their diabetes, but also by their cycling prowess. They compete against other professional teams at the sport’s highest level. Cycling is recognised as one of the most physically demanding professional sports, but the team members are eager to demonstrate that diabetes can be managed successfully as part of a healthy active lifestyle.

Team Novo Nordisk CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland (left) said: “I'm super grateful to Richard Bracken for bringing his amazing team to Spain and we're proud to partner with Swansea University as we race to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes. For years, we've had the desire to demonstrate how our athletes race at this level, day-after-day, with diabetes. We want the information to be shared with every healthcare professional and anyone in the future to know how people with diabetes can exercise at the highest level. We want to show how they consistently do it safely and successfully.”

Among the riders who took part in the study was Stephen Clancy who is in his seventh year as a professional.

“Over the past few years, we have developed our own techniques, but the Swansea research team will be able to help us standardise our dietary approach to training and racing with diabetes. This will be beneficial not only to us but to everyone exercising with diabetes.”

His teammate Sam Brand added: “Having the Swansea research team at training camp working to learn more about the potential connection between diabetes and fueling during exercise has been invaluable for us. We are looking forward to seeing what comes from the study.”

Swansea University is at the forefront investigation into the condition and is home of the renowned Diabetes Research Unit Cymru.

Dr Bracken, associate professor in sport science, is an expert in exercise and diabetes. He said this latest research into the demands facing elite, professional cycling with type 1 diabetes would now play an important role in building a better understanding of the condition and is set to be published in leading diabetes science journals.

“We want to uncover clues which might give the healthcare community more confidence when it comes to encouraging the wider type 1 diabetes community to do physical activity."

“Veloflex is a high-end boutique brand that creates some of the top tires in the world and we are honored to have them join Team Novo Nordisk as an official partner,” Team Novo Nordisk Senior Vice President of Athletics Vassili Davidenko said. “Their tires standout against the competition because they are handmade using a special compound that creates an unbeatable, durable tire that is highly responsive while still being able to take on the various conditions that we race and train in as professional cyclists.”

The name Veloflex is a blend of the word ‘velo,’ which stands for bicycle and cycling in French and the word ‘flexible,’ which the company feels showcases how their tubulars and tires adapt to any race or road surface.

“Veloflex is very proud to partner with Team Novo Nordisk’s men’s professional team for the 2019 season. This wonderful team races to show the world that diabetes shouldn’t serve as an obstacle in life. Instead, these riders show how they can turn a challenge like diabetes into a motivator,” Veloflex CEO Roberto Colleoni said. “We support Team Novo Nordisk in their mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes as they compete against the best cyclists in the world.”

Veloflex’s meticulous production technique was discovered more than 70 years ago. The 35-step process begins with raw materials and a variety of components--yarn, latex, rubber, glue, and valves--to produce a competition level tire. Veloflex’s tubulars take three times longer to produce than a clincher.

To learn more about Veloflex, please visit https://www.veloflex.it/en/about-us

Team Novo Nordisk’s men’s professional team will race the 2019 season on:

• Arenberg tubulars: an all-purpose tubular that is ideal for cobblestone racing and most rough road surfaces. The tires were named after the famed Trouée of Arenberg, a famous cobblestone road that serves as one of the toughest and most spectacular stretches of road during the Monument Paris-Roubaix.

• Corsa 25 open tubulars: designed for training and racing. The light (220 gram) all-purpose tire offers greater sensations than a traditional clincher.

About Veloflex

Founded in 1981, Veloflex is small Italian company specialized in racing tubulars and bicycle tires for competition and training. All tubulars and "open tubular" tires are made by hand in a laboratory in Presezzo in the province of Bergamo, Italy and are produced individually through artisan processes.

We are forever grateful for RCS's continued support in helping Team Novo Nordisk show not only the cycling industry but the entire world the real value behind our riders and organization. We raced at the Dubai Tour and Abu Dhabi Tour for the past two years and are eager to take on the new UAE Tour as it races through all seven emirates.

It is an honor to be part of the only UCI stage race held in the Middle East, where diabetes is growing to epidemic levels. Currently, 16% of the population has diabetes, which is predicted to rise to 67 million in the Middle East and North Africa region by 2045. Racing at the UAE Tour means we can show the value of exercise to the diabetes and pre-diabetes communities and help change the health of the world.[1]

As Team Novo Nordisk continues to invest and develop the best cyclists in the world with diabetes, we know that we have the riders and attitude to perform well at what will be a very demanding UAE Tour.

[1] International Diabetes Federation: https://www.idf.org/our-network/regions-members/middle-east-and-north-africa/members/49-united-arab-emirates.html

Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko:

This wildcard invitation serves as a critical step forward in making 2019 a successful season and helping us show the world what is possible with diabetes. Since Team Novo Nordisk launched at the end of 2012, RCS has supported this unique project and generously invited us to its races so together we can inspire, educate and empower the 437 million people affected by diabetes.

The 2018 season saw Team Novo Nordisk achieve its best results to date, including 11 top five finishes and seven podium appearances. At last year’s Dubai Tour, we took home the overall UAE Intermediate Sprint jersey, earned two top 10 finishes, and placed a rider in the breakaway on every stage.

We are fresh off a strong winter off-season and are motivated to return to the UAE and place our Changing Diabetes® jersey aggressively at the front of the race.

Through home trainers, fans will be able to practice and ride alongside Team Novo Nordisk athletes in countries like Rwanda, Japan, United States, Denmark, and many more locations as they race globally to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes. Team Novo Nordisk athletes will record original training footage from various UCI events and training camps, and through Kinomap's technology, participants will be able to experience lifelike conditions such as road variations and elevation changes through the resistance of their home trainer.

“Kinomap is delighted to offer this unique workout experience to ride year-round with Team Novo Nordisk riders in real life videos. Whether you’re an elite athlete or just trying to keep in good shape, you’ll find the content and level that suits your needs,” Kinomap President Philippe Moity said. “Our users have discovered that they stick with their fitness routines an average of thirty percent longer when they workout with Kinomap, so whether you are at home or in the gym, you can ride along with Team Novo Nordisk.”

Team Novo Nordisk’s men’s professional team will kick off the 2019 season with a training ride from our November 2018 camp in Mojácar, Spain. Follow Team Novo Nordisk on Kinomap throughout the season for more videos from our training sessions, camps, and races as we inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes.

Kinomap turns a bike trainer, spinning or exercise bike into a powerful and fun training device. With more than 140,000 kilometers of video content, the Kinomap app transforms an indoor ride into an engaging live-action experience in places around the globe. In addition to cycling, Kinomap also offers videos for runners and rowers.

Throughout 2019, Team Novo Nordisk and Kinomap will be giving away free trials and discounts for Kinomap memberships. Follow Team Novo Nordisk on social media to find out more.

About Kinomap

Kinomap is the world’s first video-sharing platform to offer live-action videos synchronized with corresponding maps. As of January 2019, the site features over 140,000 kilometers of video courses, enabling users to train on pre-recorded, geo-located outdoor routes with accompanying route maps. Additionally, users can monitor their progress, compare their performance with other athletes, and compete with the Kinomap community using the multiplayer feature. For more information, visit: www.kinomap.com