Tour de Provence’ Fan of The Race – Meet Arthur

From Diagnosis to 1,560 Kilometers: Arthur’s Journey

On March 6, 2005, Arthur Barbotin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He was five years old.

“At that age, you don’t really understand what’s happening,” Arthur recalls. “But very quickly I sensed that my life would be different. I had to learn, adapt, and accept it.”

What began as a life-changing diagnosis slowly became something else. Over time, diabetes evolved in his life:from a hindrance, to a framework, and ultimately, to a strength.

Today, at 25, Arthur is preparing for an extraordinary challenge: running 1,560 kilometers from Madrid to Paris in a project called 1560 Reasons. The journey will be filmed and shown in cinemas, capturing not only the physical endurance required, but the deeper message behind every step.

His goal is clear: to demonstrate that living with type 1 diabetes does not define limits. It can shape resilience, discipline, and drive.

Finding Balance Through Sport and Exercise

Sport has always played a central role in Arthur’s life. He spent 14 years playing football in France and the United States, building teamwork, discipline, and confidence along the way.

Later, after moving to Paris, he discovered running almost by chance, joining a run club simply to meet people. What started as a social activity quickly became a passion.

Running offered him balance. It became a space to test himself and to grow stronger both physically and mentally. Now, it has become the foundation of his most ambitious project yet.

1560 Reasons

The route from Madrid to Paris spans 1,560 kilometers. For Arthur, each kilometer represents a reason — a reason to push forward, a reason to inspire, a reason to redefine what is possible.

Through 1560 Reasons, he hopes to show young people living with diabetes that perseverance can turn a challenge into a driving force.

“If I can carry out a project like this today,” Arthur says, “it is also because structures — and in particular a team like yours — have paved the way and shown that ‘impossible’ was not a definitive word.”

The Power of Representation

For Arthur, Team Novo Nordisk represents more than a professional cycling team.

“Seeing an international team composed entirely of athletes with diabetes changes perspectives, both ours and those of others. It’s inspiring, reassuring, and deeply motivating.”

Visibility matters. When people living with diabetes see athletes competing at the highest level, it challenges assumptions and expands what feels achievable. This is the purpose that drives Team Novo Nordisk beyond race results. We race to change perceptions and prove that diabetes does not define limits.

Fan of The Race

Arthur will be Team Novo Nordisk’ Fan of the Race at the Tour de Provence, a moment that brings his journey full circle. From a young boy learning to adapt to life with diabetes, to an endurance athlete preparing to cross countries, his story reflects the power of resilience and visibility.

As he prepares to run from Madrid to Paris, Arthur carries a message that aligns with our mission: when people living with diabetes see what is possible, it changes what they believe is possible for themselves.