Arctic Race of Norway

The pattern for the 2024 season to date for Team Novo Nordisk has been to be present in the early breakaway, take some pressure off, gain some visibility and then unleash Matyas Kopecky in the final, stage one of the Arctic Race Norway proved to be no different. 

After a six week break between races the worlds first all diabetes professional cycling team picked up exactly where they left off in Belgium in June. This time with British neo pro Nathan Smith making the early breakaway before some strong teamwork helped position Kopecky for his 16th top ten of the season.

“The plan was for us to have someone up the road if the early move went,” began Kopecky. “And that’s exactly how it went. It took a few moves to go, but Nathan was switched on from kilometer zero and off he went with five other guys and that was the first objective ticked off. To be honest I didn’t feel so good throughout the stage, a little sluggish and I guess that’s normal after a long layoff from racing.”

“As we approached the final, I still didn’t feel like I’d brought my sprinting legs and I definitely missed that punch that I normally have, but to make it in the top ten against a strong field is pretty good for the first race back and I expect the extra gear to come back in the coming days with the rhythm of racing.”

For Smith the only goal was to get into the breakaway and the 23-year-old once more was one of three TNN riders trying from the start with Filippo Ridolfo and Antonio Polga both active, but Smith jumping at the right time.

“It was definitely nice to get up the road again, especially on the first stage,” said Smith. “We had a clear plan not to miss the breakaway, so we were jumping in moves with Filippo, Antonio and myself. And I managed to make it in the right one.”

“My legs were good but not brilliant, I felt like I was lacking a little bit of the top end that you get from racing. But they’re definitely getting there and it was good to be part of a collaborative group, but I lost contact on the main climb as the pace increased. Tomorrow will be a tough start, straight onto a first category climb, so I hope to recover well tonight.”

Photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency

Team Novo Nordisk got caught just outside the top placings on the second day of racing in the Polar North at the Arctic Race of Norway after an action packed day of racing saw team captain Andrea Peron first home and looking at the positives.

The second day of racing in Norway began at the foot of a first category climb before settling into an undulating yet regular 170km to the finishing circuits around Fauske, with the pace remaining high throughout as the peloton sought to keep the breakaway in check.

The battle for the break had happened early and four riders went clear out of the neutral zone and weren’t caught until after the gravel sector on the last lap with less than 10 km remaining. In between, crashes, splits and mechanicals had all occurred and left a reduced peloton fighting for the result.

“Matyas and I got split off the back for the front group with around 5km to go,” said Peron. “It was an aggressive day and the last 50km in particular were full on, so even if we had been able hold on until the sprint…I’m not sure how much energy either of us would have had for the final.”

“I was only a few seconds back, but the work we put in earlier cost us. Todays result aside, I’m really happy to be back racing with the boys and what a beautiful place to be doing it in!”

Photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency

After a first half of the season beset by challenges with crashes, injury and recovery Italian Filippo Ridolfo rediscovered his breakaway form for Team Novo Nordisk on stage three of the Arctic Race of Norway.

Ridolfo went clear with six other escapees over the early kilometers and dug deep in an attempt to drive the move on as close to the finish as possible, However, the days parcours played into the hands of the chasing peloton and the group were caught on the final climb less than 10km from the finish.

“It has been a tough year for me so far in terms of performance,” said Ridolfo. “I crashed out of Valenciana at the start of the year and never felt like I really got going again or close to where I was last year. So, to be out front and having a positive impact, going deep into a stage again like today is a good feeling.”

“Nathan made the right move on stage one, and it was a goal of mine to get up there too and we talked last night about trying to do it again today. It was a fairly regular pace until the last 50km when we rode more intensely, trying to stay away as long as possible, but it was always in the back of my mind that the uphill finish would go against us. We’re on the penultimate stage and so far, it’s been a positive return to racing for us.”

Photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency

The fourth and final stage of the Arctic Race of Norway ended well for Team Novo Nordisk with 19 year old first year professional Alessandro Perracchione making his first senior breakaway, a move that was cruelly caught in the final kilometer by the chasing peloton.

Perracchione turned pro in January after a glittering junior career that included a host of one day wins in historic Italian races such as Trofeo Alba Rosa and as can often happen, making the huge step up to the pro ranks can be a daunting experience. 

Yet, the all rounder from Piedimonte has quietly impressed over the last few months, keeping his head down, feet on the ground and learning from his teammates to show a maturity beyond his years.

“I’m very happy with how today went,” said Perracchione. “Getting out there in my first professional breakaway and doing a job for the team is a great feeling.  There’s so much to learn and absorb in this first season, but my teammates have been great, and I feel really good to be part of such a strong group and a special team.”

“There was a lot of attacks right of neutral today and I was following when the right move went, and it was a good group to be in. Strong riders and we all collaborated well. I started tire as the peloton got closer in the last few kilometers and couldn’t pull anymore, but with two kilometers to go I thought we still had a chance. It was super close in the end, the last km, but what a great experience to have before the Tour of Denmark.”

Photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency