Brand back in the break and Armitt climbs well in Toscana

Manxman Sam Brand found himself back in the territory he knows and loves at today’s Giro della Toscana in Italy, achieving the objective for Team Novo Nordisk by making it into the breakaway of the day while teammate Hamish Armitt showed his climbing form among the best in the business.

A wet and challenging 185km of racing across the plains of Lucca and Pisa interrupted by two fearsome ascents of the legendary Monte Serra climb made for a hard day in the saddle and the 33 year old Brit knew all too well that the break was the best place to show the jersey and mission of the worlds first all diabetes professional cycling team.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to wear the Team Novo Nordisk jersey,” said Brand. “And we need to show that at every opportunity. With today’s parcours, that opportunity was in the breakaway and we acknowledged in the team meeting this morning how important it was to be there today.”

“It was such a great feeling being back out front – I’ve tried so many times this year and today it came off, after a number of tries from David, Pippo and myself. I felt good and wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

After a strong to the race by Btand it was the Glaswegian Armitts turn to shine and show his natural climbing ability. Doing well over the second ascent of Monte Serra and finishing only two minutes behind the winner Isaac Del Toro (UAE).

“It was brutal,” said Armitt. “Full gas up the climb both times and the descent was terrifying, but also pretty enjoyable. I just don’t have that couple of extra percent to be able to go with the big guys yet”

With performances like today only time will tell, it’s important to remember that Armitt is only in his first pro year and came to TNN from cross country running. He’s showing what he can do in this first season and it’s great to see.

“It’s always important for us racing in Italy and seeing Novo Nordisk here before the race gave that added incentive,” concluded. Brand. “Plus the rain made it feel like home. I gave everything to show the jersey out front and knew that the climb would be the defining point.”

“Being out front, doing my best for the team and the diabetes community means the world to me.”