LIGURIA, Italy, February 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Team Novo Nordisk, the world's first all-diabetes professional cycling team, will take part in its first full competitive race, the Trofeo Laigueglia, in Italy on 16 February.

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Team Novo Nordisk is a global sports team with more than 100 cyclists, triathletes and runners who all have diabetes, spearheaded by the professional cycling team. The team's mission is to educate, empower and inspire those affected by diabetes.

As one of the opening dates on the International Cycling Union (UCI) Europe Tour 2013 calendar, the Trofeo Laigueglia provides Team Novo Nordisk with an early opportunity to challenge the new squad, which includes 17 professional all-diabetes riders from 10 different countries.

"Team Novo Nordisk will race as part of our long-standing Changing Diabetes^® programme, which aims to create awareness about and address the diabetes pandemic which affects 371 million people worldwide, and their families," says Jakob Riis, executive vice president Global Marketing, Novo Nordisk.

The Trofeo Laigueglia is a single-day 196.5 km race held annually, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013.

"We are truly excited about our first full competitive race as an all-diabetes team," says Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of Team Novo Nordisk. "When diagnosed with diabetes many people think that it means they won't be able to live a normal life and realise their dreams, but Team Novo Nordisk shows that, with good control, anything is possible."

Team Novo Nordisk

The Team Novo Nordisk professional men's cycling team roster for 2013 includes:

Fabio Calabria (Australia), Andrea Ciacchini (Italy), Stephen Clancy (Ireland), Paolo Cravanzola (Italy), Joe Eldridge (USA), Joonas Henttala (Finland), David Lozano Riba (Spain), Javier Megias Leal (Spain), Kevin De Mesmaeker (Belgium), Justin Morris (Australia), Andrea Peron (Italy), Aaron Perry (New Zealand), Thomas Raeymaekers (Belgium), Branden Russell (USA), Andrei Strelkov (Russia), Martijn Verschoor (Netherlands), Chris Williams (Australia).

About Diabetes

Today, 371 million people are living with diabetes.^[1] Changing Diabetes^® is Novo Nordisk's global commitment to improve conditions for the millions of people who live with diabetes around the world today, and those who are at risk of developing diabetes tomorrow. It is a global advocacy and partner platform which advocates for the prevention and early detection of diabetes, as well as improved treatment, care and health outcomes.

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit  novonordisk.co.uk

Reference

1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 5^th Edition, 2012 Update. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation. Available from: http://www.idf.org/diabetesatlas. Last accessed: November 2012

Changing Diabetes® and the Apis bull are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S

This press release is for use outside the USA and Canada
APROM ID#: 4779 UK/CC/0213/0009
Date of Approval: February - 2013

Video: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58694-team-novo-nordisk-debut-race