Team Novo Nordisk shows strong teamwork before late crash chaos on Stage 1 of the Tour de Taiwan

Team Novo Nordisk delivered a solid performance throughout Stage 1 of the Tour de Taiwan before a crash inside the final kilometer disrupted the team’s sprint ambitions.

The world’s first all diabetes team rode attentively throughout the stage, keeping Hamish Beadle well-positioned as the race built toward an expected bunch finish. With the team working cohesively in the closing kilometers, Team Novo Nordisk lined up alongside several of the major sprint team, as the pace accelerated toward the line.

However, disaster struck with roughly 600–700 meters remaining when a crash occurred near the front of the peloton. Both Juan José López and Beadle were caught up in the incident, immediately ending the team’s chances of contesting the stage victory.

The incident also disrupted the team’s sprint train. Riders who had been well positioned were forced to brake and avoid the crash, losing momentum just as the sprint began.

“With around 300 meters to go it was too late to come back after we had to slow down,” Celestin Wattelle explained after the finish. “Up until the crash we were all together and doing a really good job with the lead-out.”

Despite missing out on the result, the team was encouraged by the strength of its collective performance earlier in the stage.

“It’s disappointing because we were riding really well as a team,” Wattelle added. “But it was still a good opening day and a good warm-up for the next stages. Now we just hope the guys who crashed are okay.”

Team Novo Nordisk will await further medical updates while preparing to return to the start line for Stage 2.