Gritty ride from TNN at GP Quebec

Team Novo Nordisk showed their mettle against a packed field of World Tour competition at the GP Cycliste de Quebec with experienced climber David Lozano and neo pro Alessandro Perracchione the best finishers.

A fast start saw Italian Filippo Ridolfo quickly out of the blocks and into the breakaway alongside teammate Antonio Polga. So far so good for the worlds first all diabetes professional cycling team, yet the punchy climbs soon started to tell and first Polga and then Ridolfo fell back into the bunch.

“This race can be so punishing if you’re trying to take it head on,” said Lozano. “Even though we started very positively, we maybe burnt some matches too early and had to adapt our goals to staying with the bunch.”

“The climbs are relentless and even at a steady pace the laps gradually start to take their toll and those last three are the worst. The peloton gets the break in sight and the pace goes up and you start to really suffer.”

With 20km to go Lozano and 19 year old Perracchione were in the middle of the bunch while Manxman Sam Brand bravely battled on behind. Alone and focused on making it to the line.

“Alessandro did really well in his first WorldTour race,” continued Lozano. “I have to chapeau and also to Sam for hanging on there, we know he’s full of grit and he showed it again today. Now we have a monster of a day on Sunday ahead of us and I’m hoping for better weather than last year!”

Photo credits: Sprint Cycling Agency