Brussels, Belgium – Team Novo Nordisk snapped back into action on Saturday at the late-season Brussels Cycling Classic in Belgium, where a lively peloton and changeable weather made for a hectic day of bike racing.

Starting from the giant arch built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgium’s independence in 1880, nearly 200 riders from 25 teams set out into the countryside for a wild and windy day. Sunshine, rain, wind, cobbles, hills and narrow roads rose up over more than four hours of serious competition before a wet sprint finish on Houba de Strouperlaan in front of the Koning Boudewijnstadion.

Team Novo Nordisk sought to keep sprinter Andrea Peron fresh and ready at the front of the race and succeeded, bringing the Italian into the final hour where rain fell harder and roads became narrower.

Goals met, Team Novo Nordisk remains in the region for a race in northern France on Sunday, where the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team will compete in the slightly less hilly GP de Fourmies.

Peter Kuzstor

“It was a hard Belgian race today and we had the goal to keep Andrea at the front. The weather was dry and sunny ant first, but then in the second half there was rain and in the final hour it was heavy. That’s when we came into a lot of dangerous corners, and we made it with four guys – David, Charles, Andrea and me.”