Team Novo Nordisk heads to France for the Paris-Tours, final race of the 2020 season.

10 October 2020

Atlanta, GA — After a brutal day at the Brabantse Pijl, the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team, Team Novo Nordisk, heads to France for the last race of the 2020 season on Sunday 11th October at the Paris-Tours.

”Cobbled classics are always tough wars of attrition with relentless short and steep climbs that really take it out of you,” said Sport Director Massimo Podenzana, ”so in that respect the Brabantse Pijl was very good preparation for Paris-Tours.”

Departing from Chartres, the Paris-Tours 2020 will cover 213km including 9.5km in the famous vineyards of the Loire Valley. The parcour will be generally flat over the first three quarters of the route, at least until the 160th kilometer of the race. From the Côte de Goguenne, the terrain will be much more demanding and difficulties will follow one throughout the final 50 kilometers.

”We are familiar with the race and grateful to ASO for giving us the possibility take part to this French classic.” said Vassilli Davidenko, General Manager of Team Novo Nordisk. ‘‘We have a big community of fans in France and it is a great opportunity for us to continue inspiring people affected by diabetes.”

A nearly unchanged line up will take to the start at the 114th edition of the race with puncheur Charles Planet leading the line and returning to his home country with high hopes.

”I’m very happy to be back to such a prestigious race,” said Planet. ‘‘It’s always special to race at home and being the last race of this year, it’s even more special. I look forward to being at the start line tomorrow and will give it all to finish the season with a good result.”

Frenchman Mehdi Benhamouda comes back into the team after the Paris-Camembert and will provide support with the British breakaway specialist Sam Brand, Dutchman Brian Kamstra, Finland’s Joonas Henttala, the experienced Peter Kusztor and the Italian sprinter Andrea Peron rounding out the team.

”We are going into the race with mixed ambitions,” continued Davidenko. ”We have riders who just did a few races in the 2020 season and also riders who had a chance to race more. Despite this unusual season, the mood in the team is good and we hope to show our best performance on Sunday.”