Spring classics adventure continues for Team Novo Nordisk at Scheldeprijs

Deep into the spring classics campaign we go as the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team look forward to a return to Flanders on Wednesday at the 111^1th edition of Scheldeprijs.

So far in 2023 Team Novo Nordisk have been enjoying their best results on the cobbles since the team’s inception and young Czech starlet Matyas Kopecky is aiming for another progressive performance at the oldest one-day race in Flanders alongside another impressive young talent Filippo Ridolfo.

“It’s been a positive start to the block of spring racing,” said Kopecky. “I’m only in my second season as a professional and I already feel we have made a significant step up with our performances in the northern European one-day races. For sure we will miss Andrea this week, he has helped me a lot, but I am focused on doing the best I can.”

Australian Declan Irvine returns after a strong ride at GP Larciano in Italy recently and is joined by Verona native Umberto Poli, Kiwi Hamish Beadle and experienced Fin Joonas Henttala with Sam Brand completing the team.

“We’re gradually ticking off our objectives for the 2023 season,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “Declan and Matyas have both tasted what life is like in the breakaway in hard, high-level races and we’re deep into Spring with some good results in the bag.”

“Scheldeprijs is tough, and it has often been a thorn in our side, so we’re hoping that with the work we have put in and the progress we have made recently that this time around we can come away with something.”

A top ten for Ridolfo racing for the TNN Development team at Trofeo Piva in Italy on Sunday adds another boost and the value of breakaway experience is not lost on Kopecky as the team firmly put the focus on youth for the future.

“Getting into my first breakaway at Gran Premio Miguel Indurain on Saturday is another positive thing that’s happened,” concluded Kopecky. “Not just the experience gained, but it gave me an insight into another aspect of racing over terrain that doesn’t necessarily suit my characteristics and how we can still achieve something even if we’re not contesting the final.”

Team Novo Nordisk at Scheldeprijs, Wednesday 5th April:

Hamish Beadle (NZ, 24)

Sam Brand (GBR, 32)

Joonas Henttala (FIN, 31)

Declan Irvine (AUS, 24)

Matyas Kopecky (CZ, 20)

Umberto Poli (IT, 26)

Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 21)