Team Novo Nordisk warm up for Canada in Larciano
06 September 2024
With back-to-back WorldTour races rapidly approaching Team Novo Nordisk will line up at one of Italy’s oldest one day semi classics on Sunday, GP Industria & Artigianato with the goal of testing the form across the Tuscan hills before heading to Quebec and Montreal.
Italian stalwart Andrea Peron returns to lead the line alongside Czech sprinter Matyas Kopecky who will be looking to fine tube his condition ahead of his major goal of the season at the U23 European Road Championships.
“It’s always an incredibly tough race at GP Industria & Artigianato,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “The hilly parcours wears you down, whittles the bunch down to the very strongest riders and it’s nearly always attacks from a small group that get the result.”
“Another difficult aspect is the repetitive circuits, so you know what’s coming on those final laps and you know you have to dig in and climb again. This is why Larciano will be great preparation for the guys for our upcoming races in Canada and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves in Tuscany on Sunday.”
A strong Italian flavor runs through the squad for the 55th edition, with breakaway opportunist Filippo Ridolfo leading the supporting cast and compatriots and promising neo pros Alessandro Perracchione and Antonio Polga making their first appearance at the 60-year-old race, while French climber Lucas Dauge and dependable Manxman Sam Brand round out the team.
“I’ve always liked racing at Larciano,” said Peron. “Not only because of the history, but it’s always a great form finder and usually happens early in the season, so you know where you are at going into the Spring.”
“This time around GP Industria is happening late in the season and the measure will be where we’re at for our final big objectives of the year. It’s never a parcours that suits my characteristics – too much climbing! But the goal is always to try and stay as near to the front for as long as possible and go deep. It’s our only race in Italy this year and that always gives me extra motivation to be racing on home turf.”
Team Novo Nordisk at GP Industria & Artigianato, Sunday 8th September:
Sam Brand (GBR, 33)
Lucas Dauge (FR, 27)
Matyas Kopecky (CZ, 21)
Alessandro Perracchione (IT, 19)
Andrea Peron (IT, 35)
Antonio Polga (IT, 25)
Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 22)