Season finale for Team Novo Nordisk at the Japan Cup
13 October 2023
The world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team return to the Land of the Rising Sun this weekend to wrap the 2023 season at the wonderful Japan Cup.
Last year’s standout performer David Lozano will lead the team with veteran Hungarian Peter Kusztor in support and recent top ten stage finisher at the Tour of Hainan Hamish Beadle aiming for another good ride in Saturday’s pre-race criterium.
“The Japan Cup is a great way for us to end our season,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “It’s a fantastic weekend of racing, first with the criterium in downtown Utsunomiya then followed by the road race on Sunday.”
“It’s a great spectacle and the reception from the Japanese fans is always something special. We’re motivated to do the best we can this weekend and also enjoy a positive end to what’s been a very good season for us.”
Manxman Sam Brand also comes in straight from Hainan alongside neo-pro Quinten De Graeve and Australian rouleur Declan Irvine completing the team.
“I love the Japan cup, we always have a great time in Utsunomiya,” said Lozano. “It’s such a unique experience to race there and no matter how hard Sunday’s road race will be, we always enjoy it.”
“The parcours is the same as previous years, so we know what’s coming but that won’t make the climb any easier, fourteen times up at full gas takes it out of you. If it starts as explosively as last year it will be extremely tough going, but this is the last race of the season, so we need to leave it all out there.”
Team Novo Nordisk at the Japan Cup 14th & 15th October:
Hamish Beadle (NZL, 26)
Sam Brand (GBR, 32)
Quinten De Graeve (BEL, 22)
Declan Irvine (AUS, 25)
Peter Kusztor (HUN, 38)
David Lozano (ESP, 34)