Worlds first all-diabetic professional cycling team unveiled

The world’s first professional cycling team made up entirely of riders with type 1 diabetes will take to the roads this year following the launch of a new partnership between Danish healthcare firm Novo Nordisk and the Team Type 1 sports team.
Team Type 1, previously sponsored by rival firm Sanofi, will now been known as Team Novo Nordisk, a global team with more than 100 diabetic-only athletes, spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes pro-cycling team.
Over the next 12 months, the 17-man cycling squad will compete in numerous races around the world, including the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, the Tour of Britain and the Paris-Tours.
The ultimate aim is to take part in the prestigious Tour de France by 2021 – the 100th anniversary of the creation of insulin.
Jakob Riis, senior vice president of global marketing and global medical affairs at Novo Nordisk, said: “As part of our long-standing Changing Diabetes programmen, this partnership provides a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness and educate, empower and inspire people with diabetes.
“This is yet another way Novo Nordisk is striving to create more opportunities to live well with diabetes.”
Phil Southerland, founder of Team Type 1 which, until this year, included non-diabetic riders, runners and triathletes, commented: “As Team Novo Nordisk we want to show the world what is possible with great diabetes control.
“Between us, Team Novo Nordisk has over 1,000 diagnosed years of diabetes with no complications and we stand for what life with diabetes can be like.
“Exercise is that billion dollar drug that nobody ever gets prescribed, and in my experience is the best of them all,” he added. “With appropriate diet, exercise, treatment and technology, anyone with diabetes can achieve their dreams.”