Sam Brand

Isle of Man, United Kingdom

All-rounder

HEIGHT 185CM/6'

DOB 27-02-1991

AGE OF DIAGNOSIS 10

YEARS WITH TEAM 7

Diabetes doesn’t define who I am but what I do with it does. All I want every day is to change at least one person’s perspective, for the better, through the best way I know how; racing my bike with Team Novo Nordisk.

PROFILE

After turning professional with Team Novo Nordisk back in 2018, 29-year-old Sam Brand has continued to develop physically and technically over the past two seasons. Numerous strong performances in 2020 again showed the Manxman’s determination to progress and cement his role as one of the teams most reliable domestiques and point ahead to a positive 2021.

2019 was a breakthrough year on the bike and yielded some impressive results including wearing the King of the Mountains jersey for one stage at the Tour of Estonia and eventually finishing second overall in the mountains classification, finishing 16th overall at the Tour of Taihu Lake and laying down strong rides at WorldTour races including Milano-Sanremo, Amgen Tour of California and the UAE Tour.

Brand’s Team Novo Nordisk career officially began as a member of the elite triathlon team. In 2013, following his qualification to race at the ITU World Championships, he gained the attention of Team Novo Nordisk and joined the program the following season. In 2014, he finished 12th in his age group at the Nottingham Triathlon, a World Championship qualifier. The following year, he finished second at the British Triathlon Championships. After graduating from university in 2015, Brand decided to focus exclusively on cycling and moved over to Team Novo Nordisk’s development squad in the 2016 season.

Following a strong showing with the development squad, Brand debuted in the pro ranks as a stagiaire in August 2017 at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, also known as America’s Toughest Stage Race. He credits being selected as a stagiaire as the result of extremely hard work, dedication and support from his friends and family. Based on his performances at the Tour of Utah, Colorado Classic, Tour of China I & II and Tour of Hainan, he received his first professional contract for the 2018 season.

During his first pro season, he represented the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games and successfully completed the longest one-day race on the UCI calendar, Milano-Sanremo after being added to the roster to the 300-kilometer race just days before.

Back in his final year of primary school, Brand experienced the usual diabetes symptoms and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10. Brand’s friends, family and medical team were very supportive of him returning to football, basketball and all the other activities that he loved. He says his diagnosis had no negative impact on his childhood and is grateful for how his family and surrounding community handled the adjustment.

Throughout high school, the Isle of Man native competed in a variety of sports. His father competed for Great Britain at the triathlon age group level, so the younger Brand soon started competing in local triathlons. It wasn’t until his first year at university that he took the sport seriously. He quickly excelled and within a year found himself representing Great Britain at the 2013 ITU World Championships.

BEST PERFORMANCES

2020

20th – Tour du Rwanda, Stage 5

2019

2nd – Tour of Estonia, Mountains Classification
16th – Tour of Taihu Lake, GC

2017

8th – Vuelta Indipendencia Nacional Republica Dominicana, Stage 1

Diabetes Q&A

Tell us about when you were diagnosed and how you found out?

I was diagnosed at the age of 10, midway through my final year at primary school. I had recently come back from holiday and fell unwell. I had the usual symptoms (although unknown to me at the time); I was drinking a lot and spending the rest of my time to and from the bathroom.

What was your initial reaction?

I was young, and I didn’t really know what was going on. I had never heard of diabetes, and there was an awful lot of information to take in.

How did your family/friends/fellow athletes react?

My family, friends and fellow athletes were great, and they never treated me any different. I was encouraged to continue the sports I loved. All of my friends and family were learning as much as I was.

Did you think your days as an athlete were over? Did others? What did your doctor say?

At the time, I was fairly young; my sports career was limited and hadn’t taken off. I played football, basketball, as well as competed in both athletics and triathlon.

Sports Q&A

Tell us about how you got started in your sport.

Throughout high school, I played all the sports I could. I loved it!

In my senior year, I raced at national level cross-country. And triathlon was a sport that I was introduced to through my father, who competed for Great Britain at age group level. I had raced a few children’s triathlons pre-diabetes diagnosis and a couple in my teenage years post-diagnosis, but it wasn’t until I reached university that I decided to take up triathlon seriously.

When did you start competing?

I started to compete seriously in 2012, during my first year of University but had always competed in other sports from a young age.

When you first started competing, did you tell anyone (teammates/coaches/trainers) about your diabetes?

I told my coach. That was all. As I got to know more people on the team, and as our friendships developed, I told them as well. I had nothing to hide and didn’t find an issue in telling anyone. It isn’t something I actively hide, I am proud of it.

What do you think is your biggest achievement in your athletic career?

For me, it’s qualifying to race for Great Britain (AG) at the 2013 ITU World Championships.

What is your favorite memory from a race/competition?

During the ITU World Championships, I was able to compete in front of family and friends. That’s a great memory.

Being part of Team Novo Nordisk

How did you come to join Team Novo Nordisk?

I was contacted via social media and asked whether I was interested in racing for TNN. From this, I came into contact with a team member who was happy to give me a few moments to answer a question or two. Eventually, I was contacted by the team and asked to complete an application form. The rest is history.

How has your life changed since you joined the team (both as an athlete and as a person)?

Since I’ve only just joined, I haven’t yet felt the full impact. But from the help and support to date, I can’t wait to become more involved.