Tour of Shanghai

Team Novo Nordisk kicked off the 2025 Tour of Shanghai with a strong showing on Stage 1 in Jiading, where Hamish Beadle sprinted to 12th place after a hectic finale.

The 95.3-kilometer opener was fast and aggressive from the start. After 45 minutes, a group of four riders went clear, but without any of the big teams represented. Team Novo Nordisk remained active throughout the day, covering most of the major moves. The only missed opportunity came when a larger group of 20 briefly got away, though the move was quickly neutralized.

As the peloton hit the final kilometers, the wide roads and short course contributed to chaotic positioning battles. Despite strong teamwork until the final five kilometers, the finale turned into a fight for space in hot and humid conditions.

Reflecting on the day, Beadle admitted he was still managing his recovery from an illness picked up in France:

“Today was a bit tough as I’m still recovering from some sickness after France. A bit disappointing to be so close to a top 10, but it’s nice to see my legs are there even if I’m not 100%. So I think it’s a really positive sign for the coming two days,” – Beadle said.

The Tour of Shanghai continues Saturday with a 94.8-kilometer stage from Songjiang to Qingpu, where Team Novo Nordisk will look to build on Beadle’s promising form.

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.

The final stage of the Tour of Shanghai wrapped up with a strong collective performance from Team Novo Nordisk, highlighted by Hamish Beadle sprinting to 10th place, Alessandro Perracchione finishing close behind in 11th, and Célestin Wattelle in 26th. The consistency across the week ensured the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team secured victory in the Team General Classification.

The short stage began with a 7km neutral zone, and unlike the previous days, racing settled into a steadier rhythm. Early attacks were less aggressive, but the peloton stayed vigilant, especially with the threat of crosswinds blowing in from the coast. Around the halfway point, a small group managed to escape, though Team Novo Nordisk kept a strong position and remained alert.

The tension grew in the final 30 kilometers as the race picked up speed. With 10km to go, the team worked to stay in the front 10 riders, well-placed to contest the sprint. Wattelle delivered a powerful lead-out in the closing kilometers, guiding Beadle into position before peeling off at 500 meters to go. Beadle sprinted home for a top-10 result, with Perracchione just behind.

“Today was the last chance for us, so it was really nice to pull a top 10. In hindsight, I think top 5 was possible. The boys did great with covering the right moves, getting bottles, and being present in the early breaks. Célestin did an awesome job in the last 4km and put me in perfect place with 500m to go. All in all, it’s been a good week, and to take out the Team GC was the icing on the cake,” said Beadle.

For Team Novo Nordisk, the Tour of Shanghai proved to be a rewarding week of racing, with resilient teamwork across all three stages culminating in a prestigious Team Classification victory.