Team Novo Nordisk returns to Milan-San Remo with Renewed Ambition

Race: Milan San Remo (March 23rd, 2019)

Country: Italy

Total Distance: 291 kilometers

Race Class: 1.UWT

Team Novo Nordisk will lineup for the prestigious Milano-Sanremo, the first and oldest of the five Monuments, for the fifth consecutive year on Saturday, March 23rd.

Also known as “La Classicissima”, Milano-Sanremo is the longest one-day race on the UCI calendar and it’s one of the perennial jewels of the classics season. With a predominantly flat course it’s a race that typically favours the fast men in the peloton, nonetheless, due to its length it’s a selective race, frequently characterized by an early breakaway and an attacking finale triggered by the Cipressa and Poggio climbs.

The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team is eager to uphold the tradition of racing aggressively and featuring in the breakaway at Milano-Sanremo, just like it did in all its previous participations.

Team Novo Nordisk Senior Vice President of Athletics Vassili Davidenko

“We are very excited to come back to Milano-Sanremo. It will be our fifth participation in this prestigious Monument, the longest professional one-day race in modern cycling. This year, during our pre-season training, we took a different approach in terms of the preparation for  this gruelling race and we are ready for the the 7-hour-long challenge. Traditionally Milano-Sanremo is characterized by an early breakaway and a selective elimination-style racing towards the decisive stages of the nearly 300 kilometres race. The goal for Team Novo Nordisk is to be present in the breakaway, fight for a top place in the finishing line in the Via Roma and finish the race with a full roster.”

In 2015 and 2016 Italian Andrea Peron was one of the escapees of the day while in 2017 the privilege went to his countryman Umberto Poli. Both will return to the race as part of the #ChangingDiabetes seven-rider roster, as will Frenchman Charles Planet, who rode strongly in the break in last years’ edition, proudly representing our jersey at the front for over six hours.

Charles Planet

“I’m very honored and thankful to the organization for inviting us in our 5th Milano-Sanremo. It means a lot for me and for our team. I know the prestige of the race that’s why I’m working very hard at home despite the current tough weather conditions to be at my very best on Saturday, March 23rd,” said the 25-year-old Lorraine native who has enjoyed a good start of the season, featuring in the breakaway in multiple stages in the UAE Tour. ”I had a solid start to the season and I’m going to Italy with high motivation and and even higher expectations. Naturally, being in the breakaway at the beginning will be the main goal for the team and then it would be nice to have one of us with the first group at the end.”

25 teams will take part in the 2019 edition of Milano-Sanremo, including 18 World Tour squads. The race is set to start from Piazza Castello in Milan and conclude in the Via Roma in Sanremo more than seven hours later.

**Team Novo Nordisk’s final official roster will be announced 12 hours before the race start.