TNN look to returning riders to spark in Slovakia

24 June 2024

Team Novo Nordisk head back to Okolo Slovenska/Tour de Slovaquie on Wednesday with French climber Lucas Dauge and Italian rouleur Filippo Ridolfo both looking to make an impact as they return to racing after injury.

Five days of tough and spectacular racing begins with the first team time trial of the season for TNN and 28.8km of rotating in Dunajská Streda before a pair of sprint stages come as the road gradually creeps upwards to the final, back-to-back mountain stages that will bring the 68^th edition to a close.

“Okolo Slovenska is always an important race for us,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “We have great memories of editions past, strong performances and always a positive reaction to our mission to inspire the diabetes community which adds to how much we’re looking forward to being back in Slovakia on Wednesday.”

“This year’s races starts with a challenging team trial with some sprint opportunities in between before concluding with two tough mountain stages, the mixed terrain will provide an excellent test for the guys. This will be our first TTT of the year and gives our young riders a good opportunity to gain experience in that pursuit.”

New Zealander Hamish Beadle is also back in support alongside Manxman Sam Brand and American Logan Phippen with the team completed by Italian duo Antonio Polga and Umberto Poli.

“I can’t wait to be back racing,” said Ridolfo. “It feels like a longtime since I crashed out of the Hellas Tour, it’s only been a month, but it’s been a long one. Of course, maybe I could have wished for an easier race to come back to, the Tour of Slovakia is very hard! Especially the last two climbing stages, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting to be back, maybe just a little more daunting.”

“The opening team time trial will be good experience for us and an important area where we can look to learn and improve, as we have one coming up in the Tour of Denmark in August too an personally it is something I’m looking forward to doing more of.”

Team Novo Nordisk at Okolo Slovenska, 26^th – 30^th June:

Hamish Beadle (NZ, 26)

Sam Brand (GBR, 33)

Lucas Dauge (FR, 27)

Logan Phippen (USA, 32)

Antonio Polga (IT, 25)

Umberto Poli (IT, 27)

Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 22)

Stages:

Wednesday 26^th June, Stage 1: Dunajská Streda, 28.8km (TTT)

Thursday 27^th June, Stage 2: Nitra – Hlohovec, 192km

Friday 28^th June, Stage 3: Pieštany – Dubnica nad Váhom, 161.2km