Wattelle Earns First Pro Team Top 10 at Tour of Shanghai

Team Novo Nordisk continued to show progress on Stage 2 of the Tour of Shanghai, with Celestin Wattelle sprinting to his first career top 10 result with the Pro Team.

The 94.8-kilometer stage from Songjiang to Qingpu unfolded at a steady pace, with the team attentive to covering any serious attacks. Despite several attempts, no major breakaway managed to form. Only two riders went clear with 25 kilometers remaining, but the peloton kept them firmly under control, never letting their advantage grow beyond 150 meters.

Heading into the finale, Team Novo Nordisk riders were well-positioned together, conserving energy and avoiding unnecessary battles for space. As the sprint approached, the wide roads once again created a chaotic run-in where positioning proved decisive.

Originally set to lead out teammate Hamish Beadle, Wattelle adapted quickly when the plan was disrupted in the final kilometer and powered through to secure a top 10 finish – his first with the Pro Team.

Reflecting on the day, Wattelle said:

“It was a steady race, and we stayed attentive to the right moves. In the finale we had very good position, but it was chaotic like yesterday and positioning mattered more than the legs. I had to lead out Hamish but he lost my wheel with 1km to go. In the end I’m in the top 10, which is nice, but I know with a bit more communication we can achieve even better results tomorrow.”

With Wattelle’s breakthrough and consistent performances from the squad, Team Novo Nordisk now tops the team classification heading into the final stage – a clear sign of the collective strength on display in Shanghai.