Puncheur
DOB 02-05-2003
AGE OF DIAGNOSIS 20
YEARS WITH TEAM 2
Highs and lows are inevitable in life, sport and diabetes. How you respond is what matters.
PROFILE
A new addition to Team Novo Nordisk in 2025, talented Australian puncheur Bailey McDonald endured a tough yet ultimately rewarding debut season in 2026 with standout results at the Tour de Taiwan and a first appearance at the Tour of Denmark.
Recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in January 2024, McDonald had already taken the first steps down the road to his dream of success as a professional cyclist, racing for Australian UCI continental Team BridgeLane before coming to the attention of TNN at the team’s annual Talent ID camp in July.
McDonald grew up in an extremely active family and started cycling at an early age, racing at local club level before progressing to the Australian national road series and achieving a standout third place in the world’s second oldest one day event, Melbourne to Warrnambool.
The result gave McDonald the belief that he could make it as a pro and earned him a contract with Team BridgeLane for 2024. More racing followed including in Europe and after making the TNN Talent ID camp a key goal, the then 21-year-old Victorian duly impressed and joined the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team for the next two seasons.