Team Novo Nordisk 2016 Media Day
19 January 2016
Altea, Spain – Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team, held its first-ever media day at the team’s pre-season training camp in Altea, Spain. An international line-up of journalist were invited to meet the staff rider and hear stories about living and racing with diabetes.
After a brief introduction to the team, the journalists joined the team on training ride through the hills of Alicante.
Stephen Clancy | Chris Williams | Charles Planet | Kevin de Mesmaeker
Following lunch, a panel of Team Novo Nordisk riders shared their stories about being diagnosed with diabetes and how they got started on the bike and fielded questions about what it takes to manage their diabetes while competing at the highest level of cycling.
Stephen Clancy
Stephen Clancy: “The other riders in the peloton see us manage our diabetes and they share our story with people in their families who are affected by diabetes.”
Chris Williams
Chris Williams: “When we first started, the other riders saw us as a project. But now they see what we have to do to manage our diabetes and compete at a top level, and there’s a lot more respect.
Team Novo Nordisk management and staff have provide us with the best equipment and best support in managing diabetes. Now I’m more vigilant in checking and feel more confident in managing my diabetes.”
Carl Bilbo – Novo Nordisk:
Carl Bilbo, Corporate Vice President at Novo Nordisk: “Team Novo Nordisk is one of the largest partnerships under the Changing Diabetes® umbrella. As an athlete living with diabetes myself, every time I meet the TNN athletes I am humbled because I know what it takes.
And when I see these guys make the effort to speak with a family affected by diabetes after a 5 or 6-hour race…this is changing diabetes.”