Peron closest for Team Novo Nordisk at the Tour de Vendée

The standout performer of 2022 Andrea Peron shouldered the responsibility and expectations of the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team in the Loire at today’s final European race of the season, the Tour de Vendeé with the Italian sprinter first home in 21^st for Team Novo Nordisk and looking forward to a well-deserved break.

Much of the race unfolded behind a two man breakaway whose make up only changed as the field hit the final circuits around La Roche-sur-Yon with the bunch drawing close and one rider dropped back as another attacked to immediately take his place.

Ultimately the move and subsequent attacks were fruitless as the peloton, shrinking but constantly gathering pace swallowed up the rebellious attackers to clear the path for the sprinters to take center stage. A late crash contributed to an untimely split in the group as wheels were lost and Peron was caught the wrong side and chasing for the best result possible.

Andrea Peron (ITA):

“The final kilometers were hectic and after spending much of the day trying to hold our position in the peloton we did well to go towards the finale with four guys well placed in the reduced group, but we lost ourselves at the end.”

“Within the last two km as expected it got faster and more frantic, but I managed to avoid the crash on the final corner. The split happened just after as someone lost fourth or fifth wheel and the group fractured. I don’t think I was as fresh as some of the guys up there anyway, but it would have been nice to finish the year with a better result. It’s been a hell of a ride this season, my best ever results-wise and obviously achieving my first pro win at GP Kranj in July is an absolute highlight.”

Head sports director Massimo Podenzana:

“We raced much better as a team today and I’m pleased that we had more of a presence on the final circuits as the guys tried their best to help Andrea get to the last couple of kilometers in a good position. It’s a shame that he missed the top 20 by only one place, but he’s had a great season and he’s consistently been our standout performer.”

“Only one race left now at the Japan cup in a couple of weeks, so the guys that are racing there need to stay switched on, train well over the next days at home and make sure that we end what’s been a positive year for us on a high note.”