Talented Australian Bailey McDonald joins Team Novo Nordisk

Team Novo Nordisk continue to plan for the future with the addition of 21-year-old Australian Bailey McDonald for the upcoming season and beyond as the Camperdown puncheur looks to hit the ground running in 2025.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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