Team Novo Nordisk back in France for the Paris Camembert

21 September 2020

Race: Paris-Camembert

Country: France

Total Distance: 194.5 km

Atlanta, GA – The world´s first all diabetes pro cycling team, Team Novo Nordisk, returns to France to race in one of the oldest races in the world, the Paris-Camembert.

Launched in 1906, the first edition at a competitive level of this French semi classic dates back to 1934 with 2020 making the 81^st edition. Traditionally used as a preparation race for the bigger Ardennes classics, this year sees a later place on the calendar for the locally known Trophée Lepetit.

“I have never raced Paris-Camembert before,” said our Frenchman Charles Planet. “I am really looking forward to it, not only because it is on French soil, but also because it is one of the oldest one-day races with so much history for French cyclists. It is very exciting!”

The classic will start in Pont-Audemer, the Eure department in the Haute-Normandie region and arrives in Livarot in the Calvados department in the Normandy region.

The race mostly retraces the route of the previous editions with only a few more kilometers. After a first half of up and down, the course becomes more challenging in the second half and getting close to the finish line that the riders will cross twice before finally ending the planned 194.5 kilometers.

“The parcours is a tough one,’’ said Planet. ‘’Definitely one that suits the puncher with lots of short climbs. We are arriving to this race with a strong team, so I hope we can do well and fight for a result.’’

Heading straight from Slovakia, Manxman Sam Brand, versatile Italian sprinter Andrea Peron, Spanish climber David Lozano and the experienced Peter Kusztor are travelling directly to France while the other Frenchman in the team Mehdi Benhamouda rejoins the teammates for his first race since the restart of the season.

Completing the roster is Dutchman Gerd De Keijzer who is returning to race after his crash last year in Tour de Beauce.

The team comes from a good performance in Hungary and Slovakia, and motivated to bring home results before the end of the season.

“I’m super happy to pin a number again and to be back with this amazing group of people, ’’ said De Keijzer. “We had a great ride this morning here in the area of tomorrow’s start place and motivation is high.”

‘’ Our Frenchman Charles Planet is in a great form and he is eager to get a great result in his home country. I’ll help him and the team the best I can to get a great result.’’

“After some consistent results in Slovakia I feel like I am carrying some form with me and all the team are motivated to go for it,’’ concluded Planet. ‘’I can’t wait to line up close to Paris tomorrow.”