Team Novo Nordisklook to spring into action at Koksijde and Cholet Agglo

Team Novo Nordisk head into back to back one day semi classics in Belgium and France this weekend as the American outfit takes on the Koksijde Classic and the Cholet Agglo Tour.

The worlds first all diabetes professional cycling team is in the midst of a packed spring schedule with the Tour de Taiwan coming to a close this week as the rest to the squad get ready to line up in Belgium at the race formerly known as Bredene Koksijde.

Czech starlet Matyas Kopecky will lead the line alongside team captain Andrea Peron, with the 22 year old sprinter looking to maintain his strong start to the season and put to bed mixed memories from last year’s windy day out on the Belgian coast.

“The Koksijde Classic is always difficult,” began Kopecky. “It can be very windy on the open roads near the coast and has all the ingredients of a traditional northern one day race. My form has been good so far this year and my immediate goal is to go better than last year make it into the top ten and the high placings.”

Kopecky placed 29th in last year’s edition of Koksijde after spending much of the race in the lead group, before an untimely and unfortunate crash scuppered his chances in the final. Things went much better a few days later in France, with fifth place at Cholet Agglo, a performance that sparked a run of strong results for the aspiring classics specialist.

“Obviously Cholet and Koksijde are different races and anything can happen on any given race day,” continued Kopecky. “But it’s fair to say that I got some of the frustration out of my system at Cholet Agglo last year, its cycling and there are no guarantees, you can be in a strong position all race then it changes in an instant, which I think every rider accepts. The goal is to not leave Belgium with a bitter taste in the mouth this time around. We’ll see.”

Italian rouleur Filippo Ridolfo leads the supporting cast alongside Belgian Quinten De Graeve, Australian Declan Irvine and neo pro Anton Muller while experienced Manxman Sam Brand makes his first appearance of the season.

“We’re into the thick of the spring racing now and looking forward very much to Koksijde Classic followed by Cholet Agglo Tour on Sunday,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “The support we receive in both Belgium and France is always excellent and there will be some special fans cheering us on this weekend and we’re excited to be able to share our platform and mission alongside a special racing experience with them.”

“Everything can happen at Koksijde as we saw last year with strong winds and big echelons. Matyas is in fine form this year and we have close to our strongest team lining up in support, so we’re aiming high and looking for good results in both races.”

Team Novo Nordisk at Koksijde Classic and Cholet Agglo Tour, 21^st & 23^rd March:

Sam Brand (GBR, 34)

Quinten De Graeve (BEL, 24)

Declan Irvine (AUS, 26)

Matyas Kopecky (CZ, 22)

Anton Muller (FR, 26)

Andrea Peron (IT, 36)

Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 23)