Rwanda
Tour du Rwanda
5 Aug - 12 Aug 2018
TEAM Pro Team
CITY Various
STAGES 7
TEAM Pro Team CITY Various STAGES 7
David Lozano breaks down the opening stage of the 2018 Tour du Rwanda, where the Spanish rider sprinted to a second place finish.
Race: 10th Tour of Rwanda, stage 1
Start/Finish: Rwamagana /Rwamagana, Rwanda
Distance: 104km
Rwamagana, Rwanda – Team Novo Nordisk earned a podium finish and its best result of the season when Spaniard David Lozano sprinted to a second place finish on Stage 1 of the Tour du Rwanda.
“We are proud to show every person – with and without diabetes – what is possible when you take control of this condition,” Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland said. “Today’s second place finish by David is a milestone achievement for this project and we are proud we did it in Rwanda, which is one of my favorite countries in the world.”
The result marks a career-best for Lozano since joining Team Novo Nordisk. The 29-year-old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2012 at the peak of his mountain bike career, where he was an 11-time Spanish national champion. After his diagnosis, his team broke his contract. Determined to continue racing as an athlete with type 1 diabetes, Lozano contacted Southerland and joined Team Novo Nordisk later that year.
“It feels amazing to stand on the podium representing Team Novo Nordisk and the entire diabetes community,” Lozano said. “This is the team’s second podium this week, and after a mid-season break, this is an absolutely amazing way to return to racing.”
“David has been a part of this team since the beginning. He has always been one of our leaders and strongest riders,” Southerland said. “This result is going to give him the confidence that he can win, but more importantly, this podium is a success for everyone with diabetes in Rwanda, in Africa, and around the world.
The 104-kilometer stage featured 15 laps around Rwamagana. Half a dozen riders, including Team Novo Nordisk’s Stephen Clancy, controlled the front for the race for the opening circuits, which kept Lozano in good position until the finishing laps. With four laps remaining, Lozano and six riders attacked. In the finish, it came down Lozano and Lagab Azzedine (Groupement Sportif des Petroliers Algerie) with the Algerian-native outsprinting Lozano by a few meters to take the win.
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team continues racing at the eight-day Tour du Rwanda on Monday. Stage 2 is a 120.3 race that begins in Kigali and finishes in Huye.
David Lozano
“All my teammates worked really hard to cover attacks and put me in perfect position for the finish. This result shows how committed and motivated our team is for this race. I attacked on the final climb and earned a gap, but Azzedine passed me with 25 meters to go. I know this is a very difficult race, but I still have seven more chances.”
Gallery:
Results:
1st: Azzedine Lagab (Groupement Sportif des Petroliers Algerie): 2:12:21
2nd: David Lozano: same time as Lagab
3rd: James Fourie: 0:10 behind Lagab
(Photos: © nilslaengner.de)
Race: Tour du Rwanda, Stage 2
Start/Finish: Kigali /Huye, Rwanda
Distance: 120.3 kilometers
Musanze, Rwanda —Team Novo Nordisk’s David Lozano finished eighth on Stage 2 and remains in the top five overall at the Tour du Rwanda.
The 120.3-kilometer stage began in Kigali and featured four categorized climbs and two intermediate sprints before finishing in Huye. Monday’s stage was aggressive with attacks flying from the start. Three riders escaped, and without much cohesion from the peloton, they earned a gap of more than five minutes. They held off the peloton, and Samuel Mugisha (Rwanda National Team) took the win.
Lozano finished at the front of the first chase, 3’26” behind Mugisha.
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team continues racing at the eight-day Tour du Rwanda on Tuesday. Stage 3 is a 195.3-km race that begins in Huye and finishes in Musanze. It features four categorized climbs and two intermediate sprints.
Stephen Clancy
“Today was the first really hilly day. It wasn’t a very long stage but had a notable elevation gain at 2,000 meters. Most of the day’s climbs were compressed into the opening hour, and that split the peloton into pieces. The strong breakaway stayed away and David finished in good overall position, so we can’t complain.”
Results:
1st: Samuel Mugisha (Rwanda National Team): 3:08:56
2nd: Jean Claude Uwizeye (POC Cote de Lumière): 21” behind Mugisha
3rd: Mulu Hailemichael (Ethopian National Team): 21” behind Mugisha
8th: David Lozano: 3:26 behind Mugisha
Race: Tour du Rwanda, Stage 3
Start/Finish: Huye / Musanz, Rwanda
Distance: 199.7 kilometers
Musanze, Rwanda —Team Novo Nordisk’s David Lozano earned his second podium finish of the week when he sprinted to second on Stage 3 of the Tour de Rwanda. The Spaniard remains fourth overall, 1:55 behind overall leader Samuel Mugisha (Rwanda National Team).
Tuesday’s 195.3-kilometer stage began in Huye and featured two intermediate sprints and four categorized climbs before finishing in Musanze. Nearly two dozen riders including Lozano escaped early into the stage. The large breakaway splintered as the race reached the second major climb and 10 new riders from the field bridged up.
Heading over the final climb, the break was down to around a dozen riders and with 15 km remaining, Lozano and five others escaped off the front. Julian Hellmann (Team Embrace the World) soloed to the win with Lozano taking second across the line.
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team continues racing at the eight-day Tour du Rwanda on Wednesday. Stage 4 is a 135.8-km race that begins in Musanze and finishes in the lakefront city of Karongi.
Phil Southerland:
“While in Rwanda, we’ve heard people say that our team won’t be able to compete because we race with diabetes. We hope earning another podium finish at this great race proves that not only can we compete but we should be taken seriously and are in the fight for the overall race win.
“I can barely put it into words; I’m so, so, so proud of David. He made the first break of 20 riders from the beginning, and despite battling stomach issues all day, he stayed mentally strong and went for it at the end. Second is the official result, but I see today as a major victory for this project. We are eager to keep fighting.”
David Lozano:
“Today’s goal was to mark the guys who are a threat to me in the overall classification and I was able to follow all the right moves. This race is at altitude so at times it feels like there is no air in your lungs but the landscapes are absolutely beautiful. Before coming here, I never imagined how special a place Rwanda is.
“My head wants the win, and I will keep giving my all until my legs refuse to give anything more.”
Gallery:
Results:
1st: Julian Hellman: 5:11:04
2nd: David Lozano: 0:08 behind Hellman
3rd: Calvin Beneke: 0:08 behind Hellman
(Photos: © nilslaengner.de)
Rik van IJzendoorn recaps stage 4 of the 2018 Tour du Rwanda: “The crowds are amazing, there are people everywhere. I’ve never seen that before.”
Race: Tour du Rwanda, Stage 4
Start/Finish: Musanze / Karongi, Rwanda
Distance: 135.8 kilometers
Karongi, Rwanda — Team Novo Nordisk’s David Lozano earned another top five finish at the Tour du Rwanda when he took fourth on Stage 4. The solid result helped him gain back four seconds on overall race leader Samuel Mugisha (Rwandan National Team). Lozano currently sits 1’55” behind Mugisha with four stages remaining.
With three category 1 climbs, Wednesday’s 135.8-kilometer stage was another day of climbing. On the descent of the first climb, Timothy Rugg (Team Embrace the World) attacked solo and quickly earned a sizeable gap.
On the third categorized climb, several riders in the top five overall attacked and Lozano grabbed their wheel. The peloton organized and eventually reeled them in.
With 15 km remaining, Lozano attempted a move with another rider to shake up the race before the finish, but again the peloton organized and caught them five kilometers later. The race never pulled back Rugg who held on to solo to the win more than two minutes ahead of the peloton.
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team continues racing at the eight-day Tour du Rwanda on Thursday. Stage 5 is a 95.1-km race that begins in Karongi and finishes in Rubavu. It features three categorized climbs and two intermediate sprints.
David Lozano
“I was surrounded by my teammates throughout the stage and tried to shake up the race a few different times. Overall, I’m happy with my performance today and how things are going here. I will try again tomorrow if the legs let me.”
Gallery:
Results:
1st: Timothy Rugg (Team Embrace the World): 3:31:25
2nd: Samuel Hakiruwizeye (Rwanda National Team): 2:10 behind Rugg
3rd: Didier Munyaneza (Rwanda National Team): 2:24 behind Rugg
4th: David Lozano
(Photos: © nilslaengner.de)
David Lozano breaks down stage 5 of Tour du Rwanda, where the Spanish rider took 3rd place.
Race: Tour du Rwanda, Stage 5
Start/Finish: Karongi / Rubavu, Rwanda
Distance: 95 kilometers
Rubavu, Rwanda, August 09, 2018 —Team Novo Nordisk’s David Lozano earned his third podium finish of the week when he took third on Stage 5 of the Tour de Rwanda. The Spaniard remains fourth overall, 1:50 behind overall leader Samuel Mugisha (Dimension Data for Qhubeka).
Thursday’s 95.1-kilometer stage began in Karongi and featured two intermediate sprints and three categorized climbs before a downhill finish into Rubavu. On the descent of the first climb, Lozano and three riders attacked. They quickly earned a gap and the pursuit splintered the chasing peloton.
On the second climb, the Mugisha attacked and three other riders including Lozano grabbed his wheel. Two teams worked together on the chase and caught Lozano’s 4-man group with 28 km remaining.
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team continues racing at the eight-day Tour du Rwanda on Friday. Stage 6 is a 108.5-km race that begins in Rubavu and finishes in the volcano park at Kinigi.
David Lozano:
“I knew today would be full gas from the start and I was ready to cover any important moves. When the leader and other GC contenders attacked on the second climb, I went with them. We were able to drop Mulu Hailemichael (Ethiopian National Team) who is third overall but then hit a strong headwind.
“I knew I only had one move left in my legs, so I saved it for the finish. I managed to take third, which feels great but I’m already thinking about tomorrow because it is such an important day. My only aim between now and tomorrow is to recover. Today took a crazy amount of effort, and I’m motivated to show up and perform well.”
Gallery:
Results:
1st: Julian Hellman: 2:27:34
2nd: Jayde Julius: same time as Hellman
3rd: David Lozano: 0:02 behind Hellman
(Photos: © nilslaengner.de)
Race: Tour du Rwanda, Stage 7
Start/Finish: Musanze / Kigali, Rwanda
Distance: 107.4 kilometers
Kigali, Rwanda – Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team, earned a historic win Saturday when David Lozano (ESP) soloed to victory on Stage 7 at the Tour du Rwanda. This win marks the team’s second victory in its six-year history.
Beginning in Musanze, the 107-kilometer stage featured two intermediate sprints and six categorized climbs with the final one serving as a summit finish. Attacks flew from the start and Team Novo Nordisk’s Joonas Henttala (FIN) made the initial break. The group splintered on the first climb. When the raced reached Kigali, Lozano had bridged with a small group of riders to make a nine-man front group. Heading up the final climb, Lozano attacked, dropped the other escapees, and soloed to the win on the penultimate stage.
Hailing from Terrassa, Spain, Lozano was an 11-time Spanish national mountain bike and cyclocross champion. At 22 and the peak of his career, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and his team immediately broke his contract. He connected with Southerland via social media soon after his diagnosis and was invited to race with the newly forming Team Novo Nordisk. He is currently in his sixth year with the project; career highlights include fifth overall at the Tour of Estonia (2018) and winning the king of the mountain’s classification at Cholet Pays De Loire (2014). Today’s win serves as his fifth top 5 finish at this week’s Tour du Rwanda.
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team concludes racing at the eight-day Tour du Rwanda on Sunday. Stage 8 is an 82.2-km circuit race around Kigali. The final stage includes seven categorized climb, including the Kigali Wall, and two intermediate sprints.
David Lozano:
“This win is so important for our team, myself and all the people around the world affected by diabetes. It is absolutely amazing to be here and take this win in Rwanda. This is such a special place and I’m honored to stand on the top step of the podium and proudly show our Changing Diabetes jersey.”
Phil Southerland:
“For Team Novo Nordisk, the Team Type 1 Foundation, every person in Rwanda with diabetes, and the 437 million people around the world affected by this condition, this win is a win for all of us. David wanted this win so badly, and he fought hard on a tough and brutal stage. He is a champion and together we are changing diabetes in Rwanda!”
Gallery:
Results:
1st: David Lozano: 2:48:18
2nd: Valens Ndayisenga: 0:17 behind Lozano
3rd: Jean Cloude Uwizeye: ”
(Photos: © nilslaengner.de)
ace: Tour du Rwanda, Stage 8
Start/Finish: Kigali / Kigali, Rwanda
Distance: 82.2 kilometers
Kigali, Rwanda – After winning the penultimate stage at the Tour Du Rwanda, Spaniard David Lozano sprinted to second on Stage 8. Team Novo Nordisk’s CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland said he is extremely proud of Lozano’s efforts in a race that saw the 29-year-old win one stage, earn three 2nd places and take one 3rd place.
“David rode this week with the strength of the 1,500 people with type 1 diabetes in Rwanda backing him. The bike is a powerful vehicle for change, and David’s consistent performance showcased to all of Africa what can happen when you invest in the life of a person with diabetes,” Southerland explained. “We had many obstacles in the team, yet mentally David stayed strong all the way to the final finish line. He has inspired the entire team and our global community.”
Sunday’s 82.2-kilometer stage featured multiple laps around Kigali with two intermediate sprints and seven categorized climbs including two-times up the Kigali Wall. All escapees were caught as the race reached the Wall, which whittled down the front to an elite group of climbers. Azzedine Lagab (Groupement Sportif des Petroliers Algerie) pipped Lozano at the line.
Throughout the race, the local Rwandan diabetes community showered Team Novo Nordisk with support and encouragement. At the start of each stage, kids with type 1 diabetes came out to meet the team and cheer them on throughout the challenging race.
The world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team returns to racing at the six-day Tour de Hongrie on Tuesday. Stage 1 is a 4-km individual time trial. The prologue starts and finishes in Siófok.
David Lozano:
Looking back on the most successful stage race of his road career, Lozano reflects that hard work and extreme dedication allowed him to achieve these results.
“Before coming to this race, I asked my teammates who had raced here before what to expect, and everyone told me it was an amazing race but also really hard. I dedicated myself to a month of training at altitude in Andorra. Being away from my family was mentally difficult but this was my race of the season, and I wanted to ensure every aspect of my training was dialed in. This consistency paid off.
“I’m leaving this race feeling fulfilled and proud of myself, but even more so, it feels amazing to know that I’ve left an impact on all the people with diabetes in Rwanda. I can’t wait to come back!”
Phil Southerland:
Southerland is also keen to return to Rwanda in 2019 when the race moves up to a UCI 2.1 categorized event.
“I want to thank the organizer and the country of Rwanda for giving us this platform and have tremendous gratitude to the millions of fans who came out to cheer us on,” Southerland said. “We are eager to return to the race next year at its new spot on the racing calendar in February.”
Gallery:
Results:
1st: Azzedine Lagab: (Groupement Sportif des Petroliers Algerie): 2:06:20
2nd: David Lozano: same time as Lagab
3rd: Didier Munyaneza: ”
(Photos: © nilslaengner.de)