Team Novo Nordisk happy to be back in Slovakia on the hunt for success
16 September 2025
The world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team head into the 69th Okolo Slovenska looking to repeat last year’s positive results and continue the standout success of 2025.
Team captain Andrea Peron is back alongside compatriot Filippo Ridolfo and 22-year-old star Matyas Kopecky with all three global diabetes ambassadors on song and looking for results.
“We have very good memories of our last appearance at Okolo Slovenska,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “The team raced aggressively and it was great to see Hamish Beadle achieve his first career podium on stage three. That’s the spirit and level of performance we need to show again this week.”
“The competition is a strong as ever and apart from stage four, it’s a punchy and challenging parcours so we will need to be at the top of our game to achieve our goals. We’re especially looking forward to seeing our colleagues and supporters at Novo Nordisk Slovakia on stage 1 in Bardejov , and that will be a great opportunity for the guys to show their appreciation for the amazing support.”
Young Scot Hamish Armitt impressed on the climbs of the recent Giro della Toscana and lines up again in Slovakia with Italians Antonio Polga and Alessandro Perracchione for company and French neo pro Celestin Wattelle completing the team.
The five-day race starts in North-Eastern Slovakia in the hills around Bardejov in what a fast sprint finale with a downhill run into the finish before heading west to Kosice and back across the stunning southern countryside over the next four stages.
“The stages are all quite hilly apart from stage four,” said Peron. “And there’s no time trial this year, but definitely some opportunities for us on at least three out of the five days of racing. It’s always an exciting race here in Slovakia and I had a little break after Maryland, some good training the last few days and I’m looking forward to these next days at Okolo Slovenksa.”
Team Novo Nordisk at Okolo Slovenska, 17th – 21st September:
Matyas Kopecky (CZ, 22)
Andrea Peron (IT, 36)
Alessandro Perracchione (IT, 20)
Antonio Polga (IT, 26)
Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 23)
Celestin Wattelle (FR, 22)
Stages:
Wednesday 17th September, Stage 1: Bardejov – Bardejov, 141.2km
Thursday 18th September, Stage 2: Svidink – Kosice, 169.4km
Friday 19th September, Stage 3: Kezmarok – Banska Bystrica, 191.7km
Saturday 20th September, Stage 4: Vrable – Sladkovicovo, 169.1km
Sunday 21st September, Stage 5: Nova Dubnica – Kohutka, 124km