Italy
Trofeo Laigueglia
3 Mar 2021
TEAM Pro Team
STAGES 1
TEAM Pro Team STAGES 1
Team Novo Nordisk will start their 2021 season in Italy next Wednesday at the historic one-day race, Trofeo Laigueglia on Italy’s Ligurian coast. The world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team return to the race for the first time since 2017.
For many years Laigueglia was one of the traditional openers of the professional cycling calendar and this year the race marks the start of the Italian racing season. The 58th edition follows the classic route over 202 kilometers and the closing circuits, with repeated ascents of the Capo Mele and Colla Micheri will make for an exciting finale.
Head Sports Director Massimo Podenzana
“Well, that’s the first one out of the way and I am pleased that we came through ok and despite a couple of early crashes for Charles Planet and Sam Brand, who both got straight back up, and on their bikes again, we are ok.”
“The objective was to get in the breakaway, but in a race as hard as Trofeo Laigueglia with the field that lined up today, it was always going to be hard for our first race of the season.
“David Lozano tried to get up there from the start and he showed great grit and determination to finish where he did after the race split apart on the final circuits and we will look to him again on Sunday at Larciano.”
David Lozano
“I am happy that we finally managed to start our 2021 season, but it was super hard out there today. I remember that the course was tough and up and down all day, but it was very fast from the start and a definite shock to the system. Don’t get me wrong, we need that, and the legs need that to get back into racing rhythm, but man it was hard.”
“Because of the speed at the beginning it made it hard for the breakaway to go. I was trying with a guy from Movistar who attacked straight out of Laigugelia but it didn’t go anywhere. Eventually 12 riders managed to get away and that was it and the bunch always kept them under control.
“The pace went up a level on the final circuits and then it was guys dropping like flies and a few small groups forming, I was hanging on there and I wish the legs would have been a bit better, but I am happy to have finished and we look ahead to GP Industria & Artigianato di Larciano on Sunday.”