Team Novo Nordisk Animates the Race at Classic Velox Adélie de Vitré

Team Novo Nordisk lined up at the 30th edition of the Classic Velox Adélie de Vitré for a fast and aggressive 174.2 km contest, raced at an average speed of over 42 km/h. On a course known for its deceptively calm opening and explosive finale, the team showed intent from the very start.

The race ignited early on the opening climb, where Quinten de Graeve made a decisive move to join a four-rider breakaway. The group quickly established a solid advantage of around 2 minutes 30 seconds, controlling the race through the first half.

“The race started on the climb, where I was able to join the breakaway,” said De Graeve. “Four of us rode away and stayed ahead by around 2.5 minutes. With 80 km to go, we eased off because we knew the peloton would get nervous from here on and increase the pace.”

As expected, the peloton began to ramp up the pressure heading into the final circuits – a phase of the race where positioning and repeated accelerations on short climbs become decisive. The breakaway was eventually reeled in during the closing stages.

After being caught, De Graeve committed to supporting the team’s sprint ambitions but had little left after his long effort out front.

“When we were caught in the final stages, I tried to do something useful for Filippo, but I didn’t have much left to help him,” he added.

In the finale, Filippo Ridolfo was well positioned and showed strong form on the climbs as the race intensified.

“As always in this race the first big laps are quite easy and then when you enter in the small ones at 70 km to go the real race starts,” said Ridolfo. “I was feeling really good on the climbs but it never really split.”

However, luck didn’t fall the team’s way in the final moments. A loss of position before the last corner, combined with a crash in the closing meters, disrupted Ridolfo’s chance to contest the sprint.

“In the final I lost a bit of position before the last corner and a crash stopped me from sprinting for a good result,” he explained. “It was good to have a rider in the break and also the team was better than the last race. Step by step.”

Despite the setbacks, the performance marked a clear step forward for Team Novo Nordisk, with aggressive racing, strong teamwork, and encouraging signs as the season progresses.