Team Novo Nordisk ready to scale the heights in Asturias
29 April 2021
American UCI ProTeam, Team Novo Nordisk return to race on Spanish soil next week at three-day Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo where some tough climbs await.
First held way back in 1925 in the northwest region of Spain, 2021 marks the first appearance at the historic race for the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team.
Traversing some very difficult yet scenic terrain over three days of racing, our own Spanish star David Lozano will lead the team alongside experienced Hungarian climber Peter Kusztor.
“I am happy that we are returning to race in Spain again,” said Lozano. “It’s always special and gives me something more when I race on home soil and we are all excited to be taking part in a race that we haven’t done before.”
“We are all arriving in Asturias with some stage races in the legs, so we hope to have good rhythm and bring home results.”
Young Australian Sam Munday will provide support in the hills with Finland’s Joonas Henttala and 25-year-old Oliver Behringer both coming in after a hard eight days of racing at the recent Tour of Turkey and dutchman Gerd de Keijzer hot off the press from the Tour of Rhodes.
“It’s always good to go and do new races that we haven’t done before,” began Head Sports Director Massimo Podenzana. “Not only for the riders, but for staff too and the whole team. La Vuelta Asturias is well known as a hard race and I am happy that we are going there after a solid period of racing for the guys, the parcours will be tough and the competition will be strong.”
Team Novo Nordisk at Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo 30th April; – 2nd May:
Oliver Behringer (SUI, 25)
Gerd de Keijzer (NED, 26)
Joonas Henttala (FIN, 29)
Peter Kusztor (HUN, 36)
David Lozano (ESP, 32)
Sam Munday (AUS, 23)
Stages:
Friday 30th April, Stage 1: Oviedo – Pola de Lena, 185km
Saturday 1st May, Stage 2: Canadas – Cangas del Narcea, 191km
Sunday 2nd May. Stage 3: Cangas del Narcea – Alto del Naranco, 126km