Team Novo Nordisk set for first appearance at Tour of Oman
04 February 2022
The world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team are gearing up for their first appearance at the Tour of Oman next week, with a strong line up poised to start their 2022 season on the roads of the Arabian Peninsula.
Team Novo Nordisk captain Charles Planet returns to racing after a lengthy lay off due to illness and will spearhead the team’s push for results alongside consistent and versatile Italian sprinter Andrea Peron.
“I’m so excited to be back racing,” began Planet. “I can’t describe the feeling after having such a tough year in 2021. It’s been a long time since I was at the pointy end of a race fighting for a result and that’s where I want to get back to. I’m actually a bit nervous to be honest, but I’ve worked hard over the winter and done everything I can to be ready, so we will see how my body responds.”
In support of Peron and Planet will be the experienced Irishman Stephen Clancy alongside the younger faces and legs of Italian Filippo Ridolfo and Dutchman Jan Dunnewind who makes his senior debut for the pro team.
“The Tour of Oman is a very important race for us, and we are honored to be making our first appearance here and to have the opportunity to help drive change in diabetes at such a big event,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “It’s been a while since we raced in the Middle East, but we always have a great experience racing in this part of the world, it’s a perfect way to start the season in the sunshine and I’m sure that this time will be no different.”
“We’re really happy to have Charles back racing again, he’s our leader and we will be looking for him and Andrea to get us off to a good start. It’s going to be a tough six days and we’ll be up against some very strong competition, but there’s a nice balance of youth and experience in the team and this is a great chance for our young guys to step up and show what they can do.”
Italian rouleur Umberto Poli and Dutchman Gerd de Keijzer complete the team with De Keijzer finally able to pin on a number again after overcoming chronic knee problems over the last year.
“The Tour of Oman is a beautiful race to start the season,” concluded Planet. “And an important one, not only for us, but for all our supporters who help us inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes around the world. We have an important responsibility to those people and performing well in races like the Tour of Oman is the best way we can get our message across.”
“We have just wrapped up a very good two-week training camp in Spain and I felt really good, maybe not 100% yet, but that will hopefully come with more racing. There’s one or two stages that suit me and I’d love to be up there competing for a result again, but we’ll see.”
Returning after two years of cancellations due to Covid-19, the 2022 Tour of Oman will be the 11th edition of the race. Covering close to 900 kilometers over six days of racing on both flat and rolling terrain, the well-known and race defining climb of Jabal Al Akhdar once again adorns the Queen Stage as the race’s centrepiece.
Team Novo Nordisk at Tour of Oman, 10th – 15th February:
Stephen Clancy (IRL, 29)
Gerd de Keijzer (NED, 28)
Jan Dunnewind (NED, 23)
Andrea Peron (IT, 33)
Charles Planet (FR, 28)
Umberto Poli (IT, 25)
Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 20)
Stages:
Thursday, 10th February, Stage 1: Al Rustaq Fort – Muscat, 138km
Friday, 11th February, Stage 2: Naseem Park – Suhar Cormiche, 167.5km
Saturday, 12th February, Stage 3: Sultan Qaboos University – Qurayyat, 180km
Sunday, 13th February, Stage 4: Al Sifah – Muscat, 119.5km
Monday, 14th February, Stage 5: Samail – Jabal Al Akhdar, 150.5km
Tuesday, 15th February, Stage 6: Al Mouj Muscat – Matrah Corniche, 135.5km