“While in Rwanda, we’ve heard people say that our team won’t be able to compete because we race with diabetes. We hope earning another podium finish at this great race proves that not only can we compete but we should be taken seriously and are in the fight for the overall race win.”
Team Novo Nordisk’s David Lozano Sprints to Second on Stage 3 of Tour du Rwanda
Team Novo Nordisk’s David Lozano earned his second podium finish of the week when he sprinted to second on Stage 3 of the Tour de Rwanda. The Spaniard remains fourth overall, 1:55 behind overall leader Samuel Mugisha (Rwanda National Team).
“My head wants the win, and I will keep giving my all until my legs refuse to give anything more."
“While in Rwanda, we’ve heard people say that our team won’t be able to compete because we race with diabetes,” Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland said. “We hope earning another podium finish at this great race proves that not only can we compete but we should be taken seriously and are in the fight for the overall race win.”
Tuesday’s 195.3-kilometer stage began in Huye and featured two intermediate sprints and four categorized climbs before finishing in Musanze. Nearly two dozen riders including Lozano escaped early into the stage. The large breakaway splintered as the race reached the second major climb and 10 new riders from the field bridged up
“Today’s goal was to mark the guys who are a threat to me in the overall classification and I was able to follow all the right moves,” Lozano said. “This race is at altitude so at times it feels like there is no air in your lungs but the landscapes are absolutely beautiful. Before coming here, I never imagined how special a place Rwanda is.”
Heading over the final climb, the break was down to around a dozen riders and with 15 km remaining, Lozano and five others escaped off the front. Julian Hellmann (Team Embrace the World) soloed to the win with Lozano taking second across the line.
“I can barely put it into words; I’m so, so, so proud of David. He made the first break of 20 riders from the beginning, and despite battling stomach issues all day, he stayed mentally strong and went for it at the end,” Southerland said. “Second is the official result, but I see today as a major victory for this project. We are eager to keep fighting.”
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team continues racing at the eight-day Tour du Rwanda on Wednesday. Stage 4 is a 135.8-km race that begins in Musanze and finishes in the lakefront city of Karongi.
“My head wants the win, and I will keep giving my all until my legs refuse to give anything more,” Lozano said.
Team Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes sports team of cyclists spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes UCI Professional Continental cycling team. In 2012, Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of the team, and global healthcare company Novo Nordisk, came together to create Team Novo Nordisk, based on a shared vision to inspire, educate and empower people around the world affected by diabetes.
For more information, go to www.teamnovonordisk.com.