Emanuel Mini Moving Up to Team Novo Nordisk Pro Squad
17 October 2017
Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team, is bringing one of its best development team athletes, Argentinian Emanuel Mini, onto the men’s pro squad for the 2018 season.
“Since we switched to an all-diabetes roster in 2013, we’ve shown with consistency that athletes with diabetes can race at the professional level. We are extremely proud to add our first South American rider to the team’s roster with Emanuel,” Team Novo Nordisk CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland said. “Emanuel brings power and depth to our racing program, but he’s so much more than just a rider. His always enthusiastic and positive demeanor will be an add in all aspects of our project. We initially met Emanuel through our summer talent ID camps, and it is clear through the camps that more and more kids are riding bikes and interested in joining our program. Emanuel is another great example of how we are changing diabetes.”
The 30-year-old Mini first met Team Novo Nordisk when the team was racing at the Tour de San Luis in Argentina in 2014. Mini had only been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes the previous year and was surprised to see people with the same condition as him racing against the best cyclists in the world.
“Since the day Emanuel joined our program, he’s made consistent and steady progress. He is a dedicated rider who followed the team’s direction perfectly over the years, but what stands out is his personality. He’s a very positive person who is extremely motivated,” Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko said. “He’s a solid all-around rider and 2018 will serve as a transition year for him. We are looking to make the transition as smooth as possible, and I expect his amazing personality will help him make through the tough racing days ahead.”
When initially diagnosed with diabetes, Mini thought his life was over, but thanks to a supportive doctor, he regained his health and got back on the bike. He went on to take 10th overall at the Argentinian Rally Championship Marathon the following year. After attending a talent ID camp, Mini officially joined Team Novo Nordisk’s development squad in 2015.
Emanuel Mini:
“Putting on the pro jersey is a unique opportunity and comes with great responsibility; I’ve dreamed of this since my first day with the devo team. Being the first South American rider gives me such pride to represent the millions of people from my part of the world. In these past three years, Team Novo Nordisk has become my second family. They have invested so much in me not only as an athlete but as a person, and I’m motivated to give 100 percent back to the team.”