Planet back to racing on home soil for Cholet Agglo Tour

From Belgium to the Loire in Western France, Team Novo Nordisk head directly form Bredene Koksijde to the Cholet Agglo Tour this weekend with a team legend returning to action.

It’s been a torrid couple of years for Frenchman Charles Planet after a near life and career ending crash started a cycle of rehabilitation and then more bad luck with a training ride crash that resulted in a broken elbow. Now, finally, after more months of hard work physically and mentally rebuilding himself. He’s back to give it another try.

Planet will line up on home soil alongside compatriot Lucas Dauge and in support of versatile Czech sprinter Matyas Kopecky. 

“We’re happy to have Charles available to race again and especially in a home race on French roads,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “It’s great to have him back and he forms part of a strong team looking to get Matyas to the final in good shape.”

“The closing circuits in central Cholet are tough and positioning is going to be important each time over the Montée Rue Surcouf. It’s key that we go into the final circuits with as many guys as possible.”

Italian rouleur Filippo Ridolfo comes straight from Bredene Koksijde alongside Declan Irvine and Manxman Sam Brand with neo pro Antonio Polga completing the line up.

“My family, my friends, everyone at the team  knows how hard these last couple of years have been, but I have to keep trying. It’s who I am,” began Planet. “I’m an athlete with Type 1 diabetes and Team Novo Nordisk is my team, I started my career here, developed here and won here. Now it’s time to try again and get back racing to support my teammates.”

“My numbers are good, but training is training and racing is racing. There’s a lot of things going on at the same time when you’re in the peloton, side by side at 50kph for five hours, but I’ve put the work in and now is the time. There’s no pressure on me, I just want to get back to doing my job and be productive for the team.”

Team Novo Nordisk at Cholet Agglo Tour , Sunday 17^th March:

Sam Brand (GBR, 32)

Lucas Dauge (FR, 25)

Declan Irvine (AUS, 25)

Matyas Kopecky (CZ, 21)

Charles Planet (FR, 31)

Antonio Polga (IT, 24)

Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 22)