Team Novo Nordisk is a multi-team organisation of cyclists, runners and triathletes. Their professional cycling team is the first to consist solely of athletes with type 1 diabetes
They also field Team Type 2, which competes in cycling and running events and is made up exclusively of type 2 diabetic athletes.
As well as raising diabetes awareness, Team Novo Nordisk provides an opportunity for development and professional success for promising cyclists and athletes with diabetes.
Team origins
The team was founded in 2005 by two college cyclists, Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge, who both had type 1 diabetes.
Phil is still a Team Novo Nordisk staff member, while VP of Marketing Matt Vogel also lives with diabetes.
Turning professional
The team turned professional in 2008, achieving 45 stage victories in their first year as a professional outfit.
The achievements continued in 2009 when their team of cyclists, who all had type 1 diabetes, won the Race Across America.
In 2012, Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company, became the team’s primary sponsor. This was followed up by the team becoming a Professional Continental team in 2013.
The professional team now includes racers such as Stephen Clancy and Javier Megias, while Team Novo Nordisk now sports the following teams:
- Pro-Team
- Team Type 2
- Running/Triathlon Team
- Mountain Bike & Cyclocross Team
- Womens
- Junior
While the athletes of Team Novo Nordisk train like any other, they need to consistently monitor and manage their diabetes. To assist with this, a medical team is always on board to ensure the safety and optimum performance levels on the athletes.
